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Vancouver-based bookkeeping service Bench Accounting has announced its sudden closure, potentially putting hundreds of staff out of work. The Bench Accounting logo is seen in an undated handout photo. HO/The Canadian Press Wojtek Dabrowski is managing partner at Sovereign Advisory and the former chief communications officer at the legal-technology company Dye & Durham. Sharan Kaur is a partner at Sovereign Advisory, the former head of crisis communications for Saudi Aramco and the former deputy chief of staff to Canada’s minister of finance. Last week, Vancouver’s Bench Accounting went disruptive in the worst possible way. The company shut down abruptly, sending shock waves and panic through the accounting and tech communities, and leaving devastation and chaos for its customers and employees in its wake. Tens of thousands of customers now find themselves stranded and locked out of the software they relied on for essential bookkeeping services, while about 500 employees are likely out of work and facing an uncertain future. This sudden closing not only disrupts the financial stability of countless small businesses but also casts a shadow over the livelihoods of those who dedicated their skills and efforts to the company’s mission. Despite fundraising success, failure is a reality of doing business, and in a high-growth, high-risk area such as tech, it’s table stakes. But Bench’s board is made up of ostensibly experienced venture capitalists, with advisers around them who could have and should have helped chart a much more orderly path to a shutdown. We know this because we’ve advised VC-backed startups on everything from strategy to crisis communications. Bench was known for its innovative online bookkeeping solutions for small businesses, embodying the potential of technology to revolutionize traditional industries. The initial enthusiasm was palpable; investors were drawn to its promise and rapid growth trajectory. Not long ago, the startup was celebrating a triumphant fundraising round, with significant backing from heavyweight investors such as Shopify Inc. and Bain Capital Ventures. Bench raised a total of US$113-million. However, this optimism has long been unravelling. Three years ago, in a move that surprised many, the board ousted Bench co-founder and chief executive Ian Crosby, indicating a rift in vision and strategy. A new CEO, professional manager and scale-up expert Jean-Philippe Durrios was appointed as Mr. Crosby’s replacement. What transpired in the wake of the leadership change is a familiar story in the tech sector, one that speaks to a broader existential crisis facing many startups today. In their quest for rapid growth and quick returns – almost always fuelled by venture capital – companies can become so fixated on short-term scalability that they forget the fundamentals of building a sustainable, enduring business. The dismissal of a founder may have been intended to steer Bench in a new direction; however, it only revealed the pitfalls of losing sight of a long-term strategy in favour of immediate financial gains. This short-sightedness carries a price: Small businesses that relied on Bench for their bookkeeping now face the daunting task of finding immediate alternatives to manage their financial records. Employees whose lives and livelihoods were tied to the company’s fate have also been left scrambling. It’s worth noting that, in addition to the ethical implications of this abrupt shutdown, we might expect legal action from both frustrated employees and customers who feel betrayed by the company’s swift demise. The distressing fate of Bench serves as a grave reminder for tech companies everywhere: The ethos of “hockey-stick” growth and VC-backed timelines should not come before the foundational tenets of sustainable business practices. In an era defined by fleeting trends and a relentless pursuit of growth and profit, companies must remember the importance of a long-term vision. Well-built companies – those that prioritize long-term stability and value creation over short-term gains – can offer critical lessons for the tech sector. About a year ago, Mr. Durrios wrote on LinkedIn that as tax-filing deadlines loomed, small businesses were best off picking a “reputable” partner such as Bench for their accounting needs. Today, there appears to be little that is reputable about Bench’s sudden failure. As many reflect on the collapse of Bench, we are left with hard questions about accountability, vision and the long-term implications of this fast-paced business culture. The tech industry must focus not only on the immediate rewards of venture capital but also on building businesses that can thrive for generations, not just to make their investors quick cash with unreliable valuations. Unicorn status can be as much of a curse as it is a badge of honour for those who lack the understanding of stable growth and what it means to be an enduring company. It is time for leaders to commit to thoughtful, sustainable growth strategies that prioritize all stakeholders and not just shareholders, ensuring that no one is left high and dry in the wake of reckless ambition.By identifying their politics so closely with current culture wars like abortion and LGBTQ issues, Republicans today—whether moderate or MAGA, party leaders or firebrand activists—seek to reinforce what many consider a truism in American politics: Being a devout Christian is synonymous with being a conservative, and that Christian faith drives conservatism. Therein lies one of the major problems for those of us who care about the role of faith in American culture. And it’s why former President ’s legacy should inspire reflection and action, particularly following his death today . As a person of faith, I have been horrified to watch Christianity’s fall from grace in mainstream America today. Having mentioned my church in passing to a group of peers, I was once recently met with surprise—surprise that I’m a practicing Christian because, I “seem like a nice person.” I’m no Biblical scholar, but I’m pretty sure that if people conflate your religion with being a terrible human being you’re probably doing it wrong. Yet in recent years that has arguably become the face of mainstream Christianity, and any Christian who cares about the future of our faith should be deeply concerned. According to Pew Research, the number of Americans identifying as Christians has been on a decline for years. Fifty years ago 90% of Americans identified as Christians. that number was just over 60%. It’s worth noting that there has been a rapid 12% decline in . Furthermore, the number of Americans identifying as agnostic or atheist has risen from 17% to 26% since 2009. , Nicholas Kristof quoted the authors of the book as saying, “More people have left the church in the last 25 years than all the new people who became Christians from the First Great Awakening, Second Great Awakening and Billy Graham crusades combined.” I certainly don’t believe every American needs to identify as Christian. The founding of our country is intrinsically linked to religious freedom. What does concern me is the number of people fleeing organized religion because they view it as a source of harm. Seeing the way faith has been wielded as a political weapon for much of the last few years speaks to that. Then came along and made things even messier. Despite his many wives, affairs, and on-the-record advocacy of sexual assault, Trump somehow became the Christian Right’s flag-bearer. Make it make sense, as the kids say. Now, if Christianity is synonymous with perfection, I wouldn’t be allowed in a church myself. But it is supposed to embody striving for certain qualities in your daily life, among them kindness, generosity of spirit, certain standards of morality and the accountability that comes with that, along with honesty, forgiveness and love. Jimmy Carter tried so hard to live up to these standards during his time in the public eye that he was often mocked. During a notorious interview with for example, Carter’s that he had lusted after other women, and considered it a form of adultery, was shocking—but seems downright quaint now. (He and his wife Rosalynn were the longest wedded First Couple, enjoying 77 years of marriage.) Of course, in the same way plenty of Republicans play up their faith when they are trying to win the GOP nomination, plenty of Democrats never set foot in a Black church unless it’s an election year. By comparison, Carter regularly taught Sunday School in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, until his declining health made it impossible for him to continue doing so. Unlike other former politicians who chase fame and wealth, he found his calling in carpentry—just like a certain Christian leader—and spent decades building homes for the less fortunate with Habitat for Humanity. Carter was followed into the White House by , who though known for being an early supporter of gay rights and abortion access as governor of California, became a conservative icon thanks to his alliance with the Christian Right. A narrative took hold then that continues to dominate politics: proud Christians are conservatives. ’s shameless behavior and lack of contrition during the Lewinsky scandal, seemed to reinforce this, but it was also during that era that the hypocrisy of so many Christian conservatives came into full view. Many conservative Clinton critics carried similar baggage themselves. (Did I mention ?) In my documentary , evangelical leaders explained that abortion was essentially most important political issue, trumping all the others. (Personally, I have a hard time interpreting my faith as being one in which we should celebrate a 13-year-old rape survivor being forced to give birth because politicians calling themselves Christians she should.) But let’s say they were right and that justified their support of Trump in 2016. How do they explain their loyalty to him —and while , who is by all accounts a far more devout man than Trump, is at a conservative Christian event because he actually adhered to the standards of his faith on January 6, 2021. It was a diverse coalition of clergy, including Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Christian pastors and priests of all races who led the Civil Rights Movement here in America. I think it is time for Christians who do not identify with the Donald Trumps of the world to take back our faith, and champion candidates—of all parties—who uphold the standards or our faith instead of those just saying that they do. Because just think of how much better our world would be if our leaders walked the walk like Jimmy Carter did so beautifully, instead of just talking the talk.MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks owe much of their turnaround from a dreadful start to the way Giannis Antetokounmpo has raised his extraordinary game to an even higher level. He has three triple-doubles in the last six games he has played. “He’s been amazing because he’s scoring, but more importantly, he’s getting everybody involved,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after the Bucks’ over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. “It’s so difficult to help off a passer that can score. There’s a lot of guys in this league who can score, (but) they ain’t passing. You can go trap them. You can kind of junk up the game. But the way Giannis is passing, you’ve got to pick your poison.” Antetokounmpo had 42 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists Saturday for the highest-scoring triple-double of his career while helping the Bucks win their sixth straight. After losing eight of their first 10 games this season, the Bucks have won eight of nine to get above .500 at 10-9 for the first time since in their season opener. The Bucks’ progress was evident Saturday in how they found a way to win on a night when they weren’t particularly sharp. “If this was the third game or fourth game of the season, we probably would have lost that game,” Antetokounmpo said. “Now we just know — no matter if it looks pretty, if we’re playing well — we’ve got to figure out ways to win the game.” Antetokounmpo has been figuring out plenty of ways to help his team lately. His 42-point performance Saturday improved his season scoring average to an NBA-leading 32.9 points. He also has 11.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Rivers said Saturday that this is “by far” the best stretch he’s seen from Antetokounmpo since taking over as the Bucks’ coach midway through last season. “Because it’s not just scoring,” Rivers said. “It’s everything. He’s blocking shots. He’s rebounding the ball. He’s passing the ball. He’s starting our break. Him and Dame (Lillard), their two-man game has been fantastic. He’s just doing a lot of stuff for us, and he’s doing it in the flow. It doesn’t look forced.” Antetokounmpo recorded his first triple-double of the season Nov. 16 when he had 22 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists when the Bucks at Charlotte. The Bucks haven’t lost since. Six nights later, Antetokounmpo had 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a over the Indiana Pacers. His latest triple-double came after he sat out a at Miami on Tuesday with swelling in his left knee. Saturday marked the first game Antetokounmpo had played in a week. He said afterward that it took a while for him to get back into a rhythm, but he noted the time off helped him in other ways. “I felt powerful because obviously I took two or three days after the Miami game to lift some weights, get my legs under me,” Antetokounmpo said. “So I felt powerful. Every move was powerful out there.” That power helped Antetokounmpo produce his 48th career triple-double, and eighth with at least 35 points. The Bucks noted after the game that Antetokounmpo matched the number of triple-doubles with 35 points that Michael Jordan accumulated in his career. Antetokounmpo downplayed the impact of that milestone as he looked forward to the Bucks’ upcoming NBA Cup game Tuesday at Detroit. “I just try not ot pay attention to that,” Antetokounmpo said. “When I’m going to be 40 and somewhere in Hawaii or in the Caribbean and drinking a pina colada and arguing with my wife about how (great) I was when I used to play, I can say, ‘Yeah, me and Michael Jordan did that,’ put myself in the same sentence. For now, I try to stay locked in and focus in on the next one against Detroit.” ___ AP NBA:
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Today’s news headlines and Thought for the Day for school assembly: 23 November 2024WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Keller Boothby's 16 points helped William & Mary defeat Navy 82-76 on Sunday. Boothby went 6 of 8 from the field (4 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Tribe (6-7). Gabe Dorsey scored 16 points and added three steals. Noah Collier went 7 of 9 from the field to finish with 14 points, while adding seven rebounds. Austin Benigni finished with 16 points for the Midshipmen (3-10). Jinwoo Kim added 15 points for Navy. Donovan Draper had 14 points and seven rebounds. The loss was the Midshipmen's sixth in a row. Collier scored 10 points in the first half for William & Mary, who led 41-33 at the break. William & Mary took the lead for good with 3:03 left in the second half on a layup from Dorsey to make it a 73-71 game. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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