2004 ALUMNI RECIPIENTS

François Bouchard, 36

Biggest achievement: Launching a successful neighbourhood grocery store, which became the foundation for a virtual, Internet-based food superstore serving customers across Ottawa, Iqaluit and the Nunavut territory.

Best skill: Passionate. Love what I do, keen on learning more and eager to innovate with a focus on growth.

Most admired businessperson: Sam Steinberg, founder and owner of Steinberg food chain. A visionary who transformed the retailing landscape through mass merchandising, mechanization and human resource management.

Biggest business lesson learned: The retail food market is capital- and labour-intensive, highly competitive and success means achieving a net income of one per cent of sales. I have learned that large institutions generally compete by doing similar things and focus more on increasing efficiencies than innovation. As a result, I have been able to succeed by delivering a differentiated service to existing and emerging markets through innovative solutions.

Favourite charity: I regularly make contributions of time and money to the school of management of the University of Ottawa and am actively involved with community schools and both colleges.

Professional recognition that would mean the most: Recognition by the academic, industry and business community for innovation and leadership and active supporter of the local community.