A minnow among whales┬áCanada Energy PartnersÔÇÖ CEO Ben Jones tells Gary Toushek how he left the exploited petroleum fields of Louisiana to explore coalbed methane in the wilds of British Columbia. Ben Jones seems like a down-to-earth character with a charming southern drawl and a drive to succeed. He considers himself a strange mixture, with a degree in engineering and another in theology. His career stomping ground for about 25 years was southern Louisiana, where he was a petroleum ÔÇ£explorationistÔÇØ in the Gulf coast region.

Ethical jewelry┬áWith increased awareness of the environmental damage caused by irresponsible gold mining, Birks & Mayors is among a growing number of retailers who are providing customers with an ethical alternative, as Alan T Swaby learns. In difficult trading times, the conventional wisdom is to cut costs. So why then would an organization choose a path that increases the cost and effort involved in producing its goods, for no appreciable economic benefit?

Onward and upward┬áBalfour Beatty ConstructionÔÇÖs combination of experience, excellent relationship building and forward thinking continue to make it a leading player in the hospitality and resort sector, Andrew Pelis learns. Orlando, Florida, has long been a haven for the hotel industry, and despite todayÔÇÖs general economic pressures, competition remains rife, so it is essential for each hotel to have its own unique appeal.With such ideas, the Peabody Hotel drew up ambitious plans for a grand renovation some 10 years ago, and after much deliberation

Getting to the future first┬áThrough the recruitment and training of high-quality staffÔÇöand investment in technologyÔÇöAmbling Management Company is building its reputation as an innovative, effective and forward-looking property management company, Ruari McCallion reports. If you happen to see a crowd of people energetically laying siege to the Atlanta headquarters of Ambling Management Company, donÔÇÖt be concerned that itÔÇÖs another open audition for Tyra BanksÔÇÖ ÔÇ£Next Top ModelÔÇØ TV reality show.

Talking talent┬áOperations director Joe Lawrence explains to Gay Sutton how Allmand Brothers is harnessing the skills and energy of its people to achieve continuous improvement from the shop floor through to design and sales. For 70 years, the family-run manufacturing company Allmand Brothers has cared for its staff, its community, its suppliers and the customers who purchase its range of portable light towers, jobsite heaters and other industrial equipment.

New lease on life┬áItÔÇÖs taken a long time to get around to it, but a major development is expected to breathe new life into downtown Toronto, as Alan T Swaby learns. ThereÔÇÖs a degree of controversy about TorontoÔÇÖs development plans, with some voices critical about the progress achieved toward integrating the harbor area with downtown Toronto.

US President Barack Obama promised more action on the economy in the coming weeks, as he said he sees "glimmers of hope" in the economy, but warned that the system remained under "severe strain."   Speaking after a meeting with his top economic advisers, he said there was still "a lot of work to do."   He said he and his team had discussed the stability of the financial system, the housing market and plans to help banks clear their books of bad assets.

Construction on WalesÔÇÖ tallest residential building has been halted amid a dispute over money with the contracting construction company Carillion.┬á Carillion is one of the UKÔÇÖs biggest construction companies with 50,000 employees, and while the 29-storey Meridian Quay Tower is only two months from completion, Carillion has confirmed it is withdrawing from the ┬ú70 million project.

Some of the biggest insurance companies in the US may be in line for bail-outs, as one US Treasury spokesperson attests to a number of life insurance companies having met requirements for government aid.    Treasury spokesperson Andrew Williams said help to insurers would not involve new funds, but would come from the $700 billion Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).

Abu Dhabi's government-linked investment fund Aabar does not plan to buy further shares in Daimler or a stake in General MotorsÔÇÖ German unit Opel, a spokesman for Aabar said.┬á General Motors' Opel has said it needs 3.3 billion euros in state aid from European governments to save jobs and keep plants open.