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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20 - F
[ ] Registration statement pursuant to section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
OR
[X] Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2000
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OR
[ ] Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission file number: 1-15503
E-CRUITER.COM INC.
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(Exact name of Company as specified in its charter)
CANADA
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(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
360Albert Street, Suite 1510, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1R 7X7
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Shares, Without Par Value
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(Title of Class)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
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(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Act:
None
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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Registrant's classes of
capital or common stock as of May 31, 2000:
7,701,628 Common Shares, Without Par Value
Indicate by check mark whether the Company (1) has filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
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Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected
to follow.
Item 17 Item 18 X
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I
Item 1. Description of Business.....................................................1
Item 2. Description of Property....................................................10
Item 3. Legal Proceedings..........................................................11
Item 4. Control of Registrant......................................................11
Item 5. Nature of Trading Market...................................................11
Item 6. Exchange Rates and Other Limitations Affecting
Security Holders...........................................................12
Item 7. Taxation...................................................................13
Item 8. Selected Financial Data....................................................14
Item 9. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations........................................16
Item 9A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk..........................................................25
Item 10. Directors and Officers of Registrant.......................................26
Item 11. Compensation of Directors and Officers.....................................27
Item 12. Options to Purchase Securities from Registrant or
Subsidiaries...............................................................28
Item 13. Interest of Management in Certain Transactions.............................29
PART II
Item 14. Description of Securities to be Registered.................................29
PART III
Item 15. Defaults Upon Senior Securities............................................29
Item 16. Changes in Securities and Changes in Security for
Registered Securities......................................................31
PART IV
Item 17. Financial Statements........................................................*
Item 18. Financial Statements.......................................................31
Item 19. Financial Statements and Exhibits..........................................31
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* The Registrant has responded to Item 18 in lieu of this Item.
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PART I
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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
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INTRODUCTION
We provide on-line recruiting services to companies of all sizes through our
Web site at www.ecruiter.com on our servers located in Ottawa, Canada. Clients
access the recruitment services through standard Web browsers.
We began business operations in May of 1996 as CareerBridge Corporation and
began operating a regional job board focused on the high-technology industry in
1997. We transformed the job board business into that of providing on-line
recruitment services in February of 1999. In December of 1999 we sold our
regional job board to Thomson Canada Limited.
Through use of our E-Cruiter Express services, our corporate clients are able
to write one job advertisement that is reformatted by our proprietary software
and posted in multiple job boards, thereby eliminating the need to reformat job
postings for each board. For clients that require more comprehensive recruiting
management services, we provide our E-Cruiter Enterprise service, which includes
the posting features of E-Cruiter Express, as well as the following features:
o a corporate career site, which is a job site hosted on our servers, and
linked to a client's corporate Web site. This recruiting portal is linked
to job posting and management services within E-Cruiter Enterprise;
o resume processing tools which enable clients to rate, score, screen,
search, organize and manage resumes submitted by job seekers;
o applicant communication tools, including our proprietary e-mail system
which automatically keeps records of the electronic communication
associated with each job opening and generates automatic messages to job
seekers; and
o a suite of multi-user workflow features which allows for collaborative
hiring between human resources personnel and hiring managers within the
same organization.
Our services enable companies to take advantage of the Internet for
recruiting, communicating with job seekers and managing the recruiting process
in a cost-effective manner. We believe that, by using our services, companies:
o reduce their time to hire;
o reduce their direct costs to hire;
o reduce their opportunity costs of having open unfilled positions; and
o improve their quality of hire.
We generate our revenues from companies who use our recruitment services.
Approximately 75% of our revenue is generated by our E-Cruiter Enterprise
services with the balance being generated by our E-Cruiter Express service
offering.
Our business is a Web-outsourced application service. The cost benefit to
organizations of Web-outsourcing is that all software and hardware
infrastructure is physically located at the service provider location, with
clients only requiring standard Web browsers on their employees' workstations.
Therefore, because our clients are not required to make a significant initial
investment, our services are easy to buy and implement. Compared to traditional
client-server computing our service provides the following advantages to our
customers:
o reduced total cost of ownership for technology;
o greater flexibility for accommodating future business needs while
maintaining state of the art technology deployment; and
o significantly quicker service deployment, reducing the time-to-benefit
cycle and the cost of adoption.
We believe our key competitive advantage is our experience in the recruiting
industry and our effective use of information technology. We understand the
human resource problems arising from poor use of technology and from ineffective
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recruiting strategies. In February of 2000, the Branham Group, a Canadian
consulting company, listed us as one of Canada's top 250 software and
information technology services companies in its 7th annual survey. We were
listed among the top 50 Web development and services companies in Canada.
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
Our market includes any organization needing to hire employees, especially,
but not exclusively companies seeking information technology skills and
expertise. We believe several factors are increasing demand on companies to
hire: strong economies in both Canada and the United States, increased employee
turnover and, the acute shortage of knowledge workers in North America. As a
result, we believe many organizations are looking to the Internet to increase
the effectiveness of their recruiting processes and attract the quality
candidates that are strategic to their businesses.
The Internet provides for speed of communication as well as the medium for
development of tools to facilitate a more efficient recruitment process. We
believe there will be considerable growth in the demand for software tools, such
as on-line screening and text searching, to take advantage of on-line
recruiting. A recent survey by Recruiter's Network.com of 1,000 companies
indicated that 10% of the companies surveyed allocated 50% of their budget to
recruiting on the Internet. Many organizations are beginning to completely
overhaul their human resources information systems to take advantage of both new
technologies and new recruiting concepts and we anticipate that recruitment
spending will shift away from the client-server human resources services to
Web-based media hiring processes because of their lower cost and ease of
implementation. Moreover, we believe that most of the advantages offered by
Internet technology have not been implemented in the recruiting market.
A 1999 study by Forrester Research, a technology based industry analyst,
indicates that the on-line recruitment market is expected to grow by almost 60%
annually for the next four years. This compares with about 12% for the
traditional staffing industry in the United States. Forrester Research,
estimated this market to be US $0.6 billion in 1999 and expects it to reach more
than US $7.0 billion by 2005. Other forecasts estimate that the market for such
services to be even larger. For example, The Electronic Recruiting Index
estimates the on-line recruitment market to be US $40 billion by 2005.
We believe that E-Cruiter Enterprise, our primary recruitment service,
directly addresses the major challenges facing employers, namely, time-to-hire,
quality-of-hire and cost-of-hire. The July 1999 Internet Recruiting Intelligence
Report, Lessons from Global 500, found that on average, on-line recruiting
reduced the recruiting cycle by 20 days. Furthermore, the report notes that the
cost associated with Internet recruiting is well below that of all other
recruiting channels.
STRATEGY
Our objective is to become the leading supplier of comprehensive online
recruitment solutions in Canada and the Unites States. Our services can be used
by any size organization and therefore we believe that our products can address
the needs of the entire recruitment market. We have clients who have less than
50 employees using the E-Cruiter Express job posting services. We also have
clients with excess of 10,000 employees using our E-Cruiter Enterprise solution.
We believe that our solutions provide a comprehensive recruitment service for
the recruiter's desktop. They include: job posting outreach to job boards, job
posting to internal company intranets, automating and monitoring the recruitment
process and the provision of links to external service providers such as
companies that specialize in skill testing or personality profiling.
We have developed a strategy that is focused on rapid revenue growth as we
move towards profitability. Key elements of our strategy for business
development are as follows:
o Building a wider indirect sales channel for distribution of our products
and services. We plan to pursue reseller agreements for both E-Cruiter
Enterprise and E-Cruiter Express with system integrators, human resources
solution providers, payroll service providers and on-line Web sites that
attract communities of human resources personnel. We plan to expand our
business outside of Canada into the United States by establishing key
alliances with these distribution partners.
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o Enhancing our services. We anticipate capitalizing on our existing
technology and partnerships and building new alliances with service
providers to bring enhanced search capabilities, integration with human
resources management systems as well as additional testing and selection
tools.
o Direct sales. We will continue to emphasize our direct sales efforts in
Canada into our targeted vertical industries. These verticals include the
following; telecommunications, high technology, financial services,
high-end retail and pharmaceutical companies.
o Maintaining technological leadership. We plan to remain at the forefront
of Web-based recruiting solutions by developing or licensing the latest
available technologies.
o Pursuing strategic acquisitions. From time-to-time we will evaluate
acquisition and investment opportunities in complementary businesses,
products and/or technologies. Our objective is to accelerate our growth;
add new services or new technologies for our existing customer base and
penetrate new markets.
OUR SOLUTION
We designed our services to take advantage of the Internet and offer our
clients a comprehensive hiring service. By linking organizations' recruiting
efforts with on-line sources of applicants such as job boards and news groups
and allowing clients to also download resumes from paper-based sources into
their applicant database, we believe our services allow organizations of every
size to significantly improve their recruiting and hiring cycles. Our services
can be accessed with any standard Web browser and require no additional software
or hardware deployment by clients.
In our view, organizations purchase our services because they dramatically
reduce time-to-hire, provide streamlined access to qualified candidates, lower
opportunity cost losses and result in significant cost savings. Based on our
knowledge of the industry, we believe that hiring cycles of organizations
employing traditional recruiting methods can extend beyond 25 to 50 days.
However, the best information technology candidates are often hired within five
to ten business days. Therefore, we believe that organizations who employ
Internet-based recruiting processes will be the only ones able to compete
effectively for good information technology candidates.
E-Cruiter Enterprise
E-Cruiter Enterprise, a complete recruiting portal solution, allows companies
of all sizes to manage the entire hiring process on-line. Using E-Cruiter
Enterprise, clients have a central, multi-functional hiring platform for all
recruiting activities, including posting to their external career site, intranet
career site, job boards, news groups and agency suppliers. It is sold to clients
with one or more concurrent user licenses. Each concurrent license enables
another user within the organization to access the service. One concurrent
license is sufficient for small organizations that have only a few individuals
actively recruiting. One or more concurrent licenses provide for additional
simultaneous users and permits clients to take full advantage of multi-user
functionality.
E-Cruiter Enterprise allows organizations to post jobs to multiple Internet
boards through a posting manager function. Clients write a job requisition only
once, and the job requisition is ready to be advertised on numerous Internet job
boards, newsgroups and the client's own corporate Web site. Our write-once,
post-to-many capability saves time in re-writing job requisitions for specific
boards and in making arrangements with numerous job boards. Through
PositionWatch Ltd., our job posting partner, we currently post job requisitions
to the following job boards: PositionWatch, CAREERSpan, Internet Job Locator,
Netjobs, Canjobs, Prohire, CareerMagazine and CareerExchange. We also separately
post to the following additional job boards: Workopolis.com, Headhunter.net,
CanadaJobs, Monster.ca, CanadianCareers, Business in Vancouver, Jobboom.com, and
Campus WorkLink. We continue to add new job boards to our service so that our
clients can post job requisitions to national, regional and skill-specific
boards that help them to target and attract the right candidates for the posted
positions. We have signed agreements that will result in the following
additional job boards becoming available to our clients: Insuranceworks.com,
Canadian Professional Sales Association, Marketingjobs.com and Moretechjobs.com.
The E-Cruiter Enterprise recruiting portal solution allows clients to quickly
establish a high quality company career site. We believe that career sites
maximize the value of our recruiting portal solution, and are the most strategic
way to help clients attract quality candidates. In particular, our clients can
purchase career sites from us which include functionality, such as, job seeker
agent, a capability that notifies registered candidates of employment
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opportunities when they are posted to the career site, and, search, a capability
that allows a job seeker to search the jobs posted on the career site for
positions of interest to them. Our clients can track the effectiveness of their
career site by reviewing statistics on the volume and source of job seeker
traffic received.
E-Cruiter Enterprise provides for enhanced communication among candidates,
hiring managers and human resources personnel. Clients can use a set of generic
corporate messages to automatically respond to resumes or other applicant
communications using our auto-acknowledgement tool. For example, an e-mail
acknowledging receipt of a resume can be automatically sent to an applicant - an
administrative function which is now automated, making a corporate recruiters
job more efficient, and providing cost savings. Our proprietary e-mail system
also maintains records of all electronic communication associated with each job
opening, and all applicants, including on-line interviews, as well as internal
communications between the hiring manager and the corporate recruiter. We have
recently signed an agreement with netPCS Networks to enhance communications
between job seekers and our clients' human resources personnel and hiring
managers. When implemented, corporate recruiters will have access to a service
that empowers them to make or receive multi-media calls, for example, through
their cellular phone or personal data assistant, with candidates the instant
they enter the company's career board.
We believe our E-Cruiter Enterprise selection capabilities including
automatic screening and skills ranking improves our clients' recruiting efforts
and increases the speed at which they gain access to top candidates. Applicants
who apply on-line are ranked after they have answered screening questions either
pulled by the corporate recruiter from our suggested list, or created for the
specific job by that corporate recruiter. These applicants are then matched
against the screening criteria determined by the corporate recruiter. Applicants
who do not meet the screening criteria are placed in a rejected folder, while
those that do are flagged for review by employers, and automatically become
qualified candidates. Clients also receive the applicants in ranked order, and
this ranking is determined by the applicant responses to the screening
questions, and how it matches against the set criteria. This assists recruiters
in determining quickly who is qualified for a given position and who is not.
Through the applicant function, clients can manage their recruiting process
using familiar folder hierarchies. Job folders are logically organized by job
opening and can be tailored to the clients' recruiting process. For example,
clients typically set up the following job folders when using E-Cruiter
Enterprise: new applicant, active, rejected, set up interview, interview
schedule and hired. As applications are received, employers move the
applications through the folders as part of managing the recruiting process.
This provides ready access to recruiting status and allows our software to
generate standard reports measuring such things as time taken to hire and
recruiter productivity. Our software also generates standard reports on
advertising and job posting effectiveness. The multi-functionality of the
applicant process allows human resources personnel and hiring managers within
the same organization to share, circulate and electronically comment and
collaborate on resumes that have been received. In addition to permitting
various levels of access among hiring managers and employers, our hiring
management system allows users to optionally protect their own individual
assessments of candidates.
E-Cruiter Enterprise also allows clients to utilize the services of our
selection partners over the Internet, and have the results flow back into their
database on E-Cruiter.com's servers. As part of our comprehensive hiring
management system, we resell skills and selection testing services of Brainbench
Inc. and the Self-Management Resources Corporation. Clients direct their
applicants to a specific Web site where tests are completed by the applicant.
The test results are made available to our clients for use in their recruitment
process. We have recently signed an agreement with a verification services
company that will allow our clients access to reference checking, educational
verification and other such services.
The following is a summary of features offered within E-Cruiter Enterprise:
o Create, edit and search job requisitions -- These features allow clients
to quickly create, edit and search job requisitions using a standard
template that is compatible with newsgroups, job boards, their career site
and their intranet site. Clients can either use the template or use job
requisitions from the posting archive.
o Posting Center -- This feature allows clients to quickly post or unpost
job requisitions to multiple Internet boards. Jobs are posted to regional
or national job boards, newsgroups or the client's corporate career site.
o Create and manage career sites -- This feature, together with assistance
from E-Cruiter.com, allows clients to quickly set up and maintain their
own career site on a corporate Web site.
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o Applicant communication -- This feature allows clients to automatically
acknowledge receipt of applications, to conduct on-line interviews and to
decline applicants both in single or multiple applicant mode.
o Applicant searching -- This feature allows clients to search their data
for resumes using search criteria as defined by users.
o Applicant review -- This feature allows clients to review, rate and
comment on applications received. Clients can move applications through
job folders to reflect their status.
o Applicant management -- This feature allows clients to share applications
among human resources personnel and hiring managers within the same
organization, to e-mail resumes to remote users or to reject applicants.
Applicants can be deleted in single and multi-mode.
o Resume data loading -- This feature allows clients to load resumes from
traditional paper based sources into their applicant database integrating
applicants from all sources into their hiring management system to more
effectively manage their overall recruitment activities.
o Export -- This feature allows clients to export their applicants' resumes
to alternative systems, for example to their human resource management
systems.
o Send for testing -- This feature allows our clients to direct applicants
to on-line testing and profiling partners.
o Send for verification -- This feature allows our clients to obtain
verification services through the Internet.
o Administration/account management -- This feature allows clients to set up
individual users, modify screen layouts, assign posting or hiring
privileges, assign default screen layouts and modify passwords.
o Generate reports -- This feature allows clients to generate standard
reports on advertising effectiveness, time-to-hire, and recruiter
productivity.
Our E-Cruiter Enterprise subscription contracts are typically for one-year
terms with automatic renewals, one or more simultaneous user licenses, user
training and set up and a menu of Internet posting services. Clients can
terminate their contracts at any time by providing 90 days written notice.
Clients are charged a monthly subscription fee for concurrent user access
licenses, career site hosting, on-line reporting and other services. We charge
one-time fees for initial career site development and other set up and product
education. We also provide professional consultation services on a time and
materials basis. Job site posting, skills testing, personality profiling and
verification services are provided on a pay-per-use basis.
We believe that the E-Cruiter Enterprise pricing formula provides clients
with a low-risk avenue to access the benefits of on-line recruiting at a
reasonable cost compared to client-server technology. Furthermore, since the
required technology infrastructure investments are nominal by comparison,
clients experience lower initial costs for full access to the comprehensive
service that E-Cruiter Enterprise provides. We believe that the subscription
formula provides us with the opportunity to earn annuity-based returns as
subscriptions are renewed. This pricing practice is consistent with similarly
offered Web-based services.
E-Cruiter Express
E-Cruiter Express is our job posting software for clients who want to use
the Internet only to advertise their open positions. E-Cruiter Express is a
quick, easy and affordable way for clients to post jobs to multiple Internet
sites and introduce them to Internet recruiting and a more comprehensive hiring
management system for improved recruiting efficiency. Clients only have to write
a job description once, and it is ready to be advertised on numerous Internet
job boards and news groups concurrently. For example, at the click of a mouse,
an advertisement can be placed on the following job boards: PositionWatch,
CAREERSpan, Internet Job Locator, Netjobs, Canjobs, Prohire, CareerMagazine and
CareerExchange and Workopolis. We intend to continue to add job boards to our
service so that clients can post job requisitions to additional job sites. Our
write-once, post-to-many capability saves time in re-writing job requisitions
and saves administrative time in making arrangements with numerous job boards.
E-Cruiter Express clients can review their applications on-line and delete
unwanted applications. Clients can also electronically communicate with
applicants using our proprietary e-mail system.
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E-Cruiter Express is priced on a per-job posting basis and can be paid for by
credit card by clients using our electronic commerce capabilities.
CLIENT SUPPORT
We believe that attentive client support is an important element in the
provision of our comprehensive recruitment service. At fiscal year end, on May
31, 2000 we had 11 employees dedicated to support: 3 in the area of telephone
support, 7 professional services employees and one manager.
Our client services department was formed in May 1998 in response to our
recognition that building post-sales client satisfaction and loyalty to our
services is instrumental to obtain a high renewal rate for existing clients,
generate additional revenue from new clients and sell additional services to the
same client.
Our client services department interacts directly with our clients and
prospects. Its mission is to guarantee a maximum level of client service and
responsiveness. Client service representatives foster long-term relationships
with our clients, the management within our clients' organizations and their
technical support personnel with the objective of yielding client loyalty and
valuable product feedback. Potential new value-added services to enhance our
product experience are also identified through direct client feedback.
Our professional services team delivers implementation planning and
consulting, on-line and on site training and corporate career site
implementation to clients. The telephone support group delivers general support
to end-users. The department undertakes routine formal client evaluations of the
services to ensure a high level of client satisfaction.
In response to general industry service trends and Web-based service
delivery trends, we anticipate that our client services department will continue
to make use of Web technology to provide innovative services to our clients. We
currently employ Web delivery tools to build programs to provide education,
demonstrations, and support to clients. We are also using Web-based on-line
conferencing to deliver to the clients' desktop, at their convenience, on-line
seminars, feature updates, and proactive support. This service also provides
interactive collaboration between clients and the professional service staff,
enabling clients to deploy our services more quickly throughout their
organization. This technology is especially useful where our clients have
multiple locations.
SALES AND MARKETING
We sell our services through a direct sales force, including an inside sales
team, and our Web site, and we have future plans to sell our services through
indirect distribution channels. We believe that third-party distribution
channels, such as system integrators, human resources solution providers, and
payroll service providers can effectively sell our services. We also believe
that on-line Web sites that attract communities of human resources personnel
would be an effective method of distributing our product. We market our services
to prospective customers through advertising, trade shows and other means.
Direct sales
We will continue to employ a direct sales force to sell E-Cruiter
Enterprise recruitment services. Our direct sales force will proactively sell
our solution to organizations with 500 employees or more in the Canadian market
place. We have sales offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa and
employ 10 sales representatives. We plan to add sales representatives in
Montreal and in Atlantic Canada. We also plan to add sales representatives in
key US markets, coincident with the establishment of US-based distribution
agreements where there are synergistic opportunities to work in the same local
markets. In addition, our inside sales representatives are tasked with
qualifying leads and booking sales calls for our direct sales representatives to
sell E-Cruiter Enterprise services. The inside sales representatives also sell
our E-Cruiter Express Services by telephone.
Indirect sales
One key element of our strategy is to expand our sales efforts through a
distribution channel. Because our services are outsourced Web-based
applications, our channel partners will not be required to carry product
inventory nor incur product development and infrastructure investments. Under
these arrangements, we plan to retain the responsibility for ongoing development
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and hosting of our services. On a case-by-case basis we will examine the
benefits of having our channel partner also providing customer support to end
user clients.
We plan to select our distribution channel partners on the basis that they
can:
o add significant volume to our sales effort;
o extend the distribution of our services into geographical regions that we
cannot economically address directly or choose not to address directly;
o provide ancillary products and/or services that are complementary to our
services;
o provide access to important clients and/or market areas that we could not
reach without their help; and/or
o offer industry, human resources or technology expertise and experience
that add overall value to our clients' experience using our services.
In September of 2000 we signed an agreement with Human Resources Technologies
Inc. to resell our E-Cruiter Enterprise services, primarily in Ontario, Canada.
The agreement is in effect until June 2001 and for successive one- year terms
thereafter if not terminated by either party. Initially, we will provide client
support to customers of Human Resources Technologies Inc. After an initial
period, Human Resources Technologies Inc. may take on this additional
responsibility.
In October of 2000 we signed a Letter of Agreement with Canadian-Automatic
Data Processing Services Ltd, ADP Canada, to resell E-Cruiter services. The
Letter of Agreement is transitional in nature whereby ADP will resell our
services while, at the same time we will negotiate a final definitive written
agreement for ADP's resale of our services. If such final agreement is not
reached by April 30, 2001, either party can terminate the resale arrangement.
Initially, we will provide client support to customers of ADP Canada. After an
initial period, ADP Canada may take on this additional responsibility.
It is our plan to enter into such distribution arrangements with additional
third parties.
Clients
Our clients represent a wide range of commercial enterprises, including
financial services, telecommunications, high technology, retail, pharmaceutical
and other industries. Our services are structured and priced to appeal to
clients ranging from single users seeking recruitment advertising to
organizations requiring total recruitment management.
We have marketed our services primarily in the Ontario market, including
Ottawa and Toronto. Consequently, a large number of our current clients are
enterprises that are based in Ontario or that seek to fill job openings in
Ontario.
The following is a partial list of our largest revenue-generating clients
for our fiscal year ended May 31, 2000:
o Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. o Holt Renfrew and Co. Limited
o Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce o Home Depot Canada
o Compaq Canada o KPMG Canada
o Compugen Systems Ltd. o Loblaw Companies Limited
o Dell Computer Corporation o Mackenzie Financial Corporation
o Eli Lilly Canada Inc o Sony Music Canada
o Fidelity Investments Canada Ltd
During the fiscal year ending May 31, 2000 we signed contracts for E-Cruiter
Enterprise services with 68 clients. We also received and processed 324 orders
for E-Cruiter Express services. An order represents one, five or ten job
postings. In total, 604 postings were purchased.
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Our marketing goal is to support our sales processes through a comprehensive
market support program. Consistent with the deployment of sales resources, our
marketing team plans to focus its efforts and lead generation and branding
activities in targeted markets. Our marketing efforts will consist of the
following:
o Advertising our brand in key industry print magazines, on radio in our
target markets and in other media;
o Implementing a publicity and media relations campaign to secure positive
articles on our industry, our services and our performance within it;
o Forming relationships with industry analysts and human resources
professional associations so they understand our services and their
capabilities;
o Attending key North American trade shows to build brand awareness and
generate leads;
o Using our client base as a strategic asset, continuing to secure top-name
clients and references within the target market to continue to build
awareness of our service capability;
o Develop our Web site as a place to obtain information on all our services
and as a full service electronic commerce capability which clients access
for general information and where prospective clients and potential
clients obtain information and purchase our services;
o Using E-Cruiter seminars and client user groups to generate sales leads;
o Direct mailing of information on our services to our targeted prospective
client groups to generate sales leads; and;
o Developing brochures and other information for our sales representatives
to leave with potential clients after sales calls.
Our marketing efforts will be concentrated in Canada where we intend to
maintain our strong brand awareness and reputation for quality. In addition, and
coincident with new distribution partners operating in the United States, we
intend to launch marketing programs in the future in key geographic regions in
the United States.
COMPETITION
The market for Web-based recruiting services on the Internet is highly
fragmented, intensely competitive and rapidly changing. In our view, we compete
on the Internet nationally and internationally with Web-based recruitment
services companies, client-server resume management companies, Internet job
posting companies and traditional recruiting firms.
In our view, some of our main competitors, such as Hire Systems, WebHire,
Recruitsoft, Peopleclick and Hire.com, have introduced or are introducing
services which are intended to be complete recruitment management services. We
also believe that established vendors of client-server resume management
systems, such as Personic and SkillSet, are moving to establish, or have
established Web-based versions of their client-server offerings and may become
serious competitors in our market. Some of these existing and potential
competitors have a stronger position in national markets, including the United
States, greater name recognition, and significantly greater financial, technical
and marketing resources than we do.
We also indirectly compete with traditional advertising media, such as
print, and traditional recruiting firms, for a share of employers' total
recruitment budgets. We believe, however, that our services can be used to
optimize the effectiveness of all elements of the recruiting supply chain,
making an existing budget result in faster hires, better quality hires, with
greater productivity of human resources and line management resources working
with their suppliers. We believe that our services complement traditional
methods rather than replace them.
It is our belief that we do not compete directly with job posting services
such as Monster, Headhunter, JobOptions or HotJobs; rather, our services are
designed to allow companies to more efficiently access the job posting services.
We provide our clients with the ability to post jobs on multiple job posting
boards simultaneously. We anticipate that many of these job posting services
will offer services for applicant management that could compete with elements of
our services but believe that our services will provide a more comprehensive
solution for recruitment management.
Notwithstanding the above, we believe that the E-Cruiter Enterprise and
E-Cruiter Express services compete favourably on the following principal
competitive factors in our market: service availability, ease of use,
performance; price; comprehensiveness of product features and quality of
customer support.
Page 8
<PAGE>
TECHNOLOGY
Network infrastructure
Our network consists of a series of servers, routing and Internet-networking
equipment, workstations and management systems relating to hardware and software
that isolates our local network from external networks, known as a firewall. We
use industry standard secure socket layer encryption combined with a
challenge/response authentication system to ensure data security. We also use
adjustable time-out and forced-expire mechanisms to provide additional controls.
We believe our network architecture provides adequate security.
We believe that the network and security architectures, hardware and software
tools we implement for security are very effective because they are proactively
monitored and managed by experienced personnel. To ensure total network
security, we have in place:
o continuous monitoring by experienced security personnel and Internet
engineers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year;
o real-time usage and audit reporting;
o maintenance and testing of software, hardware, and security modifications
in a test environment before installing the software onto our network
servers for use by our clients;
o use of proven, policy-based procedures along with the latest technologies
to accurately track incidents, identify potential security breaches and
provide rapid, appropriate response; and
o use of uninterruptible power systems and a backup generator to protect
against power loss.
Despite being relatively new as a service provider, we believe that we have a
solid track record for service availability. Unplanned outages have been minor
and few in number.
Data Handling and Disaster Recovery Procedures
We are committed to ensuring that backup, recovery and redundant processing
capabilities are consistent with clients' expectations for outsourced services.
We provide secure electronic data handling for all our clients and have disaster
recovery procedures in place in the event of software and/or hardware failure or
other unforeseen event. Our principal efforts include:
o keeping all electronic versions of client data logically apart from the
data of any of our other clients;
o strictly limiting access to all client data to authorized users only;
o storing all client data generated by the software in a single location of
service operation;
o implementing a full tape backup process, beginning at midnight of each
day, of all client data;
o shipping a tape copy of all client data offsite on a next business day
basis to a dedicated media storage facility;
o through use of a commercial archival and storage service, providing a
dedicated media storage facility, tape backup collection, storage and
delivery services.
Application Technology
The customer interface, or client as it is commonly called, is a standard
Web browser, for example, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator,
running on any desktop computer, for example, personal computers, Macintosh
computers, or UNIX workstations. Users can conduct all their business, from
retrieving resumes to creating postings, from within this familiar browser
interface by logging on to our Web site.
Our service was designed with a unique Web application architecture to
deliver significant advantages in performance, reliability, security, and
enterprise scalability. E-Cruiter Enterprise was built with scalability as a
prime function. We have employed various technologies that support the building
of scalable applications that integrate browser, server and database
technologies.
Our technology is supported by an internal staff of developers and
operations support specialists, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We supplement
our programming staff by a team of quality control analysts and product managers
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<PAGE>
who ensure that the final service is user-friendly and dependable. In addition
to supporting our Web-based services, our staff continually researches new
technologies, enhances the software and hardware infrastructure and develops new
services. Our software is designed to be easily adaptable to new technologies
and new features.
We plan to continue to invest in technology development for the benefit of
all our current and prospective new clients.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secrets laws and
non-disclosure agreements to protect our proprietary technologies, ideas,
know-how and other proprietary information. We have registered trademarks for
E-Cruiter, E-Cruiting and E-Cruiter Enterprise in Canada and registrations are
pending for trademarks for E-Cruiter Express, E-Cruiter On-line and the
expression, We Take Internet Recruiting To a Hire Level. Applications are
pending in the United States for the trademark, E-Cruiter and the expression, We
Take Internet Recruiting To a Hire Level. The US Patent and Trademark Office has
rejected our application to trade mark the word E-Cruiting on the basis that it
is merely descriptive. We have no patents or registered copyrights.
Notwithstanding the precautions we take, third parties may copy or otherwise
obtain and use our proprietary technologies, ideas, know-how and other
proprietary information without authorization or independently develop
technologies similar or superior to our technologies. In addition, the
non-disclosure and non-competition agreements between us and some of our
employees, distributors and clients may not provide meaningful protection of our
proprietary technologies or other intellectual property in the event of
unauthorized use or disclosure. Policing unauthorized use of our technologies
and other intellectual property is difficult, particularly because the global
nature of the Internet makes it difficult to control the ultimate destination or
security of software or other data transmitted.
There has been substantial litigation in the software industry involving
intellectual property rights. We believe that our technologies and trading
systems have been developed independent of others. Third parties may however
assert infringement claims against us and our technologies and services may be
determined to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.
EMPLOYEES
As of May 31, 2000, we employed on a full-time basis a total of 79 persons,
of whom 5 are engaged in executive management, 17 in selling and marketing
activities, 11 in customer support, 40 in research and development and network
operations and 6 in other functions. In addition, we retain software development
services from consulting firms on an as needed basis. We believe our relations
with our employees and consultants are generally good, and we have no collective
bargaining agreements with any labor unions.
Our success will depend on our ability to hire and retain additional
qualified marketing, sales, technical and financial personnel. Qualified
personnel are in high demand. We face considerable competition from other
Web-based recruitment companies, Internet job posting services and client-server
recruitment companies, many of which have significantly greater resources than
we have.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
-------------------
Our principal offices are located in Ottawa, currently at 1510 - 360 Albert
Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where we occupy approximately 7,700 square feet
at an annual rent cost of approximately $253,000 per year or approximately
$21,070 per month. We are obligated to pay rent for these premises until
December 31, 2001. We also occupy approximately 5,600 square feet on the 4th
floor of 99 Metcalfe Street. We are obligated to pay rent of $12,000 per month
until December 31, 2000.
We intend to consolidate our Ottawa offices into one location in Ottawa. We
have entered into a 10 year agreement to rent space from RT Capital where we are
obligated to pay rent of $470,000 per year, or approximately $39,167 per month.
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<PAGE>
This space provides us some room to grow and ensures that all of our research,
development and operations employees can operate from one location. By
mid-January of 2001 we expect to have moved in to our new location. We plan to
sublet, or assign, the premises at 1510 - 360 Albert Street early in calendar
2001.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
-------------------------
From time to time, E-Cruiter.com Inc. is subject to legal proceedings and
claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged breach of
contract by former employees, infringement of trademarks, copyrights and other
intellectual property rights. We are not currently aware of any legal
proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of
operations.
ITEM 4. CONTROL OF REGISTRANT
-----------------------------
The authorized share capital of E-Cruiter.com Inc. consists of an unlimited
number of common shares without nominal or par value. There were two
shareholders known to us, as of May 31, 2000, who were the beneficial owners of
more than 10% of our common shares. The following table sets forth, as of May
31, 2000, the number of common shares held by these two shareholders and those
owned by all directors and officers as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES PERCENT OF COMMON
NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES OUTSTANDING
<S> <C> <C>
Paul Champagne 2,392,921 31.07%
141 Kerry Hill Crescent
Dunrobin, Ont. Canada K0A 7T0
1,149,738 14.93%
John Gerard Stanton
24 Rosenfeld Crescent
Kanata, Ont. Canada K2K 2L2
1,528,690 19.85%
All directors and officers as a group
(consisting of 4 persons)
</TABLE>
ITEM 5. NATURE OF TRADING MARKET
--------------------------------
The common shares of E-Cruiter.com Inc. are traded in the United States on
the Nasdaq Small Cap Market ("Nasdaq SM") under the symbol "ECRU" and on the
Boston Stock Exchange ("BSE") under the symbol "ECR". The table below sets forth
the high and low sale prices of the common shares on the Nasdaq SM as reported
by Bloomberg L.P., for each fiscal quarter during the periods indicated.
Comparable information on trading of the common shares on the BSE is not
publicly available.
PERIOD HIGH LOW
------ ---- ---
Fiscal Year 2000 (IN $U.S.)
----------------
Third Quarter ended February 29, 2000 $9.12 $6.75
Fourth Quarter ended May 31, 2000 $8.75 $3.00
Fiscal Year 2001
----------------
First Quarter ended August 31, 2000 $4.87 $2.50
Second Quarter (up to November 24, 2000) $6.00 $2.62
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<PAGE>
The market price of our common shares may be subject to substantial
fluctuations related to the announcement of our financial results, new product
introductions by us or our competitors or other matters relating to our
business, such as political or economic developments and the market for
technology stocks generally.
As of May 31, 2000 approximately 24.5% of the outstanding common shares of
E-Cruiter.com Inc. were held of record by approximately 633 holders with
addresses in the United States.
ITEM 6. EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SECURITY HOLDERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no law or government decree or regulation in Canada that restricts
the export or import of capital, or that affects the remittance of dividends,
interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares, other than
withholding tax requirements. See "Item 7 - Taxation".
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by the articles or other
charter documents of E-Cruiter.com Inc. on the right of a non-resident to hold
or vote common shares of E-Cruiter.com Inc., other than as provided in the
Investment Canada Act, as amended (the "Investment Act").
The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable
investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation,
partnership, trust or joint venture that is not a "Canadian" as defined in the
Investment Act (a "non-Canadian"), unless, after review, the minister
responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to
be of net benefit to Canada. If an investment by a non-Canadian is not a
reviewable investment, it nevertheless requires the filing of a short notice
which may be given at any time up to 30 days after the implementation of the
investment.
An investment in common shares of E-Cruiter.com Inc. by a non-Canadian that
is a WTO investor would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an
investment to acquire direct control, through a purchase of assets or voting
interests, of E-Cruiter.com Inc and the value of the assets of E-Cruiter.com
Inc. equaled or exceeded $192 million, the threshold established for 2000, as
indicated on the financial statements of E-Cruiter.com Inc. for its fiscal year
immediately preceding the implementation of the investment. In subsequent years,
such threshold amount may be increased or decreased in accordance with the
provisions of the Investment Act. A WTO investor is an investment by an
individual or other entity that is a national of, or has the right of permanent
residence in, a member of the World Trade Organization, current members of which
include the European Community, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and
the United States, or a WTO investor-controlled entity, as defined in the
Investment Act.
An investment in common shares of E-Cruiter.com Inc. by a non-Canadian,
other than a WTO investor, would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it
were an investment to acquire direct control of E-Cruiter.com Inc. and the value
of the assets were $5.0 million or more, as indicated on the financial
statements of E-Cruiter.com Inc. for its fiscal year immediately preceding the
implementation of the investment.
A non-Canadian, whether a WTO investor or otherwise, would acquire control
of E-Cruiter.com Inc. for the purposes of the Investment Act if he, she or it
acquired a majority of the common shares of E-Cruiter.com Inc. or acquired all
or substantially all of the assets used in conjunction with E-Cruiter.com Inc.'s
business. The acquisition of less than a majority, but one-third or more of the
common shares of E-Cruiter.com Inc., would be presumed to be an acquisition of
control of E-Cruiter.com Inc. unless it could be established that E-Cruiter.com
Inc. was not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of common
shares.
The Investment Act would not apply to certain transactions in relation to
common shares of E-Cruiter.com Inc. including:
(a) an acquisition of common shares of E-Cruiter.com Inc. by any person if
the acquisition were made in the ordinary course of that person's
business as a trader or dealer in securities;
(b) an acquisition of control of E-Cruiter.com Inc. in connection with the
realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance
and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act;
and
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<PAGE>
(c) an acquisition of control of E-Cruiter.com Inc. by reason of an
amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization
following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of
E-Cruiter.com Inc., through the ownership of voting interests, remains
unchanged.
ITEM 7. TAXATION
----------------
Material Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a summary of the material Canadian federal income tax
considerations generally applicable to a person who acquires common shares of
E-Cruiter.com Inc. and who, for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the
Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, as applicable, and at all
relevant times, is a U.S. holder. Readers are cautioned that this is not a
complete technical analysis or listing of all potential tax effects that may be
relevant to holders of our common shares. In particular, this discussion does
not deal with the tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors,
some of which may be subject to special rules, and does not address the tax
consequences under Canadian provincial or territorial tax laws, or tax laws of
jurisdictions outside of Canada. Accordingly, you should consult your own
advisor regarding the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in our
common shares. This summary is based on the advice of our Canadian counsel,
Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall.
For purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Canada-United States Income
Tax Convention, 1980, a U.S. holder is a person that:
o throughout the period during which the person owns our common shares is
not resident in Canada and is a resident of the United States;
o holds our common shares as capital assets, that is, generally as
investments;
o deals at arm's length with us within the meaning of the Income Tax Act
(Canada);
o does not have a permanent establishment or fixed base in Canada, as
defined by the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980; and
o does not own and is not treated as owning, 10% or more of our outstanding
voting shares.
Special rules, we do not address in this discussion, may apply to a
U.S. holder that is (a) an insurer that carries on an insurance business in
Canada and elsewhere, or (b) a financial institution subject to special
provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) applicable to income gain or loss
arising from mark-to-market property.
This discussion is based on the current provisions of the Canada-United
States Income Tax Convention, 1980, the Income Tax Act (Canada) and their
regulations, all specific proposals to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada) and
regulations announced by the Minister of Finance (Canada) before the date of
this annual report and counsel's understanding of the current published
administrative practices of Revenue Canada. This discussion is not exhaustive of
all potential Canadian tax consequences to a U.S. holder and does not take into
account or anticipate any other changes in law, whether by judicial,
governmental or legislative decision or action, nor does it take into account
the tax legislation or considerations of any province, territory or foreign
jurisdiction.
Taxation of Dividends
Dividends paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on common shares
owned by a U.S. holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax under the
Income Tax Act (Canada) at a rate of 25% on the gross amount of the dividends.
The rate of withholding tax generally is reduced under the Canada-United States
Income Tax Convention, 1980 to 15% where the U.S. holder is the beneficial owner
of the dividends. Under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980,
dividends paid to religious, scientific, charitable and similar tax exempt
organizations and pension organizations that are resident and exempt from tax in
the United States and that have complied with the administrative procedures
specified in the Tax Convention are exempt from this Canadian withholding tax.
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<PAGE>
Taxation of Capital Gains
A gain realized by a U.S. holder on a sale, disposition or deemed disposition
of our common shares generally will not be subject to tax under the Income Tax
Act (Canada) unless the common shares constitute taxable Canadian property
within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) at the time of the sale,
disposition or deemed disposition. Our common shares generally will not be
taxable Canadian property provided that: (a) they are listed on a prescribed
stock exchange, and (b) at no time during the five-year period immediately
preceding the sale, disposition or deemed disposition, did the U.S. holder,
persons with whom the U.S. holder did not deal at arm's length, or the U.S.
holder acting together with those persons, own or have an interest in or a right
to acquire 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of our
shares. A deemed disposition of common shares will occur on the death of a U.S.
holder.
If our common shares are taxable Canadian property to a U.S. holder, any
capital gain realized on a disposition or deemed disposition of those shares
will generally be exempt from tax under the Income Tax Act (Canada) by the
Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, so long as the value of our
common shares at the time of the sale, disposition or deemed disposition is not
derived principally from real property situated in Canada, as defined by the
Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980. We have been advised that
currently our common shares do not derive their value principally from real
property situated in Canada; however, the determination as to whether Canadian
tax would be applicable on a sale, disposition or deemed disposition of common
shares must be made at the time of that sale, disposition or deemed disposition.
ITEM 8. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
--------------------------------------------
The summary financial information set out below is presented in Canadian
dollars and is derived from our consolidated financial statements. We prepare
our financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting practices, known as Canadian GAAP, and report in Canadian dollars.
These principles conform in all material respects with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles, known as U.S. GAAP, except as described in note 14 to the
consolidated financial statements. You should read the information presented
below in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of
Operations" section of this annual report.
The following tables include a U.S. dollar convenience translation using an
exchange rate of $1.4977 per US $1.00, the noon buying rate on May 31, 2000.
These translations are not necessarily representative of the amounts that would
have been reported if we had historically reported in U.S. dollars, and the rate
used is not necessarily indicative of the rates in effect at any other time.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOUR YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY
US $
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS DATA CDN $ YEAR ENDED
YEAR ENDED MAY 31, MAY 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2000
CANADIAN GAAP:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue ..........................................$ 85,524 $ 870,003 $ 1,399,557 $ 1,752,730 $ 1,170,281
Cost of Revenue .................................. 57,167 386,391 848,769 1,624,770 1,084,843
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Profit ..................................... 28,357 483,612 550,788 127,960 85,438
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense:
Selling ..................................... 125,785 652,118 818,601 1,625,434 1,085,287
Marketing ................................... 258,256 817,291 612,796 2,014,684 1,345,185
General and administrative .................. 243,304 350,014 725,713 1,325,645 885,121
Research and development .................... 258,257 510,974 606,088 2,460,600 1,642,919
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Expense ......................... 885,602 2,330,397 2,763,198 7,426,363 4,958,512
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss .........................................$ (857,245) $(1,846,785) $(2,212,410) $(7,298,403) $ (4,873,074)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss per share................................$ (0.53) $ (0.58) $ (0.57) $ (1.29) $ (0.86)
=========================================================================
Page 14
<PAGE>
CDN $ US $
AS OF MAY 31, MAY 31,
1997 1998 1999 2000 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Weighted average number of shares outstanding..... 1,620,669 3,191,297 3, 854,579 5,649,783 5,649,783
US GAAP:
Net loss .........................................$ (857,245) $(1,846,785)$ (4,864,735) $ (7,560,668) $ (5,048,186)
=========================================================================
Net loss per share ...............................$ (.53) $ (.58) $ (1.26) $ (1.34) $ (0.89)
=========================================================================
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA CDN $ US $
AS OF MAY 31, MAY 31,
1997 1998 1999 2000 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CANADIAN GAAP:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Working capital (deficit) ........................ $ 201,386 $ (167,186) $(1,488,371) $12,801,601 $ 8,547,507
Total assets ..................................... 406,537 700,826 2,176,210 16,182,960 10,805,208
Total liabilities ............................... 180,252 833,816 3,416,514 2,352,197 1,570,539
Shareholders equity (deficit) .................... 226,285 (132,990) (1,240,304) 13,830,763 9,234,669
U.S. GAAP:
Working capital (deficit ) ....................... $ 201,386 $ (167,186) $(1,956,924) $12,801,601 $ 8,547,507
Total assets ............................... 406,537 700,826 2,176,210 16,182,960 10,805,208
Total liabilities ............................... 180,252 833,816 3,885,067 2,352,197 1,570,539
Shareholders equity (deficit) .................... 226,285 (132,990) (1,708,857) 13,830,763 9,234,669
</TABLE>
The differences between U.S. GAAP as compared to Canadian GAAP as they affect
our consolidated financial statements are explained in note 14 to the notes to
the consolidated financial statements. Differences between U.S. GAAP and
Canadian GAAP do not affect our consolidated financial statements for the years
ended May 31, 1997 and 1998.
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
EXCHANGE RATES
The following table lists the average, high, low and period-end noon buying
rate in New York City for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as certified for
customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the periods
indicated. The average rate is the average of the exchange rates on the last day
of each month during a year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended December 31, Period End Average High Low
------------------------ ---------- ------- ---- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1995............................ 1.3655 1.3689 1.4238 1.3285
1996............................ 1.3697 1.3644 1.3822 1.3310
1997............................ 1.4288 1.3894 1.4398 1.3357
1998............................ 1.5375 1.4894 1.5770 1.4075
1999............................ 1.4720 1.4877 1.5302 1.4512
2000 (through October 31) ...... 1.5273 1.4813 1.5310 1.4353
</TABLE>
On May 31, 2000, the noon buying rate was $1.4977 per US $1.00. We used this
exchange rate to calculate the U.S. dollar equivalents provided in this annual
report, unless otherwise noted. On October 31, 2000, the noon buying rate was
$1.5273 per US $1.00.
Page 15
<PAGE>
ITEM 9. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OF OPERATIONS
-------------
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. All
figures are in Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted. Except for the
historical information contained in this annual report the matters discussed
regarding our financial condition and results of operations are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These factors include the
rapid change in markets and technology, the anticipation of market growth, the
timing of product announcements and ability to meet product development
schedules, the introduction of competitive products by existing and new
competitors, the volume, size and timing of orders received, the lengthening
sales cycles, seasonal customer demands and market acceptance of new or enhanced
products. Therefore, historical results and percentage relationships will not
necessarily be indicative of the operating results of any future period. See -
Factors That May Affect Future Results."
OVERVIEW
In 1997, we launched CareerBridge.com, a regional-based job board focused on
the high-technology industry in Ottawa, Canada. We believe that as a result of
aggressive promotion, CareerBridge.com became the leading regional on-line job
board for technology careers, serving as a free job search service for
individuals, and as a paid posting service for organizations.
Initially, we were a Web-based recruitment advertiser, known in the
marketplace as a job board. As a job board, our service allowed organizations to
advertise their job openings on our Web site and allowed individuals to review
employment opportunities and apply on-line. However, we determined early in our
existence that simply offering a Web-based job board did not address all of the
recruiting needs of organizations. To address these needs, in February of 1999,
we launched E-Cruiter Enterprise, a service designed to be a comprehensive
recruitment service.
We provide on-line recruiting services to companies of all sizes through our
Web site at www.ecruiter.com on our servers located in Ottawa, Canada. Clients
access the recruitment services through standard Web browsers. In our view, our
services enable companies of all sizes to streamline their recruiting process,
lower costs and accelerate their hiring cycle.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal year ended May 31, 2000 compared to fiscal year ended May 31, 1999.
Revenue
Our accounting policy is to recognize revenue from recruitment services,
which includes access to services, upgrades and enhancements, set up, initial
training and support, over the term of client contracts. Professional services,
which are provided on a time and materials basis, are recognized as services are
delivered. Revenue from clients who post their jobs on the Internet using our
services is recognized over the period of the posting. All of the company's
revenue is currently generated by clients operating in Canada. Revenue is earned
principally from two Web-based services: E-Cruiter Enterprise, a comprehensive
recruiting portal solution; and E-Cruiter Express, a job posting service
designed for organizations which want to advertise their job requisitions on
multiple sites on the Internet.
Revenue for the year ended May 31, 2000 increased 25% to $1,752,730, compared
with revenue of $1,399,557 for the year ended May 31, 1999. Sales were
particularly strong in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2000. During this
period we received in excess of $2,003,000 in orders, compared with $775,000
received in the first half of fiscal 2000. This reflects increased sales and
marketing activity following the company's initial public offering.
Revenue from E-Cruiter Enterprise services increased 25% to $1,363,818 in
fiscal 2000 from $1,094,632 in fiscal 1999. During the year, the company focused
its sales efforts on mid-and large-sized companies. We competed for and won
several significant new accounts during the year: Home Depot Canada, Zurich
Canada, KPMG Canada, Sony Music Canada, Watson Wyatt World Wide and Ballard
Page 16
<PAGE>
Power Systems Inc. We signed 68 contracts for a total value of $2,379,000
(average value of $34,985). Most of these were one-year contracts. This compares
with 49 contracts valued at $1,184,000 (average value of $24,163) in fiscal
1999.
Revenue from the sale of E-Cruiter Express services grew from $305,013 in
fiscal 1999 to $388,912 in fiscal 2000, an increase of 28%. This reflects our
increased telesales effort during the year.
Sales of our E-Cruiter Express job posting service through the Worklife
Solutions Inc. and the AltaVista Live! Careers channel were not as high as
expected. The content-partner arrangement with Worklife Solutions Inc. for
access to AltaVista Live! Careers channel was terminated subsequent to year-end.
For the upcoming year we will continue to search for on-line communities of
interest to find human resources buyers on the Internet.
Cost of Revenue
The cost of revenue in fiscal 2000 was $1,624,770 compared with $848,769 in
fiscal 1999, an increase of 91%. These costs include network operations, client
support and charges for posting to third-party job boards. The change in each of
these expenses from fiscal 1999 to fiscal 2000 is explained as follows:
o The cost of supporting our network operations center increased to $758,458
in fiscal 2000 from $438,744 in fiscal 1999. This largely reflects an
increase in personnel. The higher costs also reflect higher depreciation
charges related to the company's investment in network infrastructure to
achieve scalability and better-than-average data redundancy and
reliability. We made these investments in anticipation of increased
business volume in fiscal 2001 and beyond. We believe that we are now
better positioned to manage significant business volume from targeted
distribution partners.
o Client support expenses were $543,824 in fiscal 2000 compared with $333,093
in fiscal 1999. This reflects the addition of several new client support
personnel including individuals for the company's career site design team.
We increased career site design staff in response to strong client demand
for our leading-edge recruiting portals. We continue to maintain a
"relationships first" approach with our clients in order to achieve high
average client satisfaction. The annual renewal rate approached 80% in
fiscal 2000.
o Charges by third-party posting companies totaled $322,500 in fiscal 2000
compared with $76,932 in fiscal 1999, an increase of 319%. This reflects
the introduction of new posting services for our Enterprise and Express
customers.
Expenses
To achieve our growth in fiscal 2000, and to position our company for future
growth, our expenses increased substantially as compared to fiscal 1999. Total
expenses were $7,502,709, compared with $2,656,750 in fiscal 1999. Expenses are
divided into the following categories: marketing, research and development,
selling and general and administrative. The change in total expenses from fiscal
1999 to fiscal 2000 is explained as follows:
o Marketing expenses increased to $2,014,684 from $612,796 in fiscal 1999,
primarily as a result of advertising promotion in the Canadian marketplace.
We believe we are now recognized as a leading supplier of Internet
recruiting solutions in Canada. During the year the company spent
$1,040,000 on advertising, compared with $112,421 in 1999.
o Research and development costs were $2,460,600 in fiscal 2000, compared
with $606,088 in fiscal 1999. We significantly increased our research and
development capabilities during the year by adding 14 personnel and hiring
specific consultants where required. A more rigorous product management and
development process was implemented during the year and we also completed
two significant product upgrades.
o Selling expenses increased to $1,625,434 in fiscal 2000 from $818,601 in
fiscal 1999. This was attributable to an increase in our direct sales force
both for the E-Cruiter Enterprise and E-Cruiter Express product lines.
o An increase in general and administrative expenses also contributed to the
overall increase in expenses for fiscal 2000. General and administrative
expenses were $1,401,991 in fiscal 2000, compared with $619,265 in fiscal
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1999. A portion of the increase relates to additional recruiting efforts to
bring our staffing complement from 36 employees to a total of 79 by the end
of the year. The higher costs also partially reflect the costs of being a
public corporation, which include higher accounting and legal costs and
higher costs for directors and officers liability insurance. During the
year we also entered into a consulting services arrangement with SC
Stormont Corporation for financial and business advisory services and
incurred costs of $78,333 for these services. We do not expect general and
administrative costs to increase significantly during fiscal 2001, as the
infrastructure is largely in place to support the expected level of
business.
Other Income and Expenses
Other income and interest income includes interest earned on excess cash held
during the year and a gain of $311,563 on the sale of CareerBridge.com. During
fiscal 2000 we sold our regional job board to Thomson Canada Limited. As
consideration for the sale, we have and will receive specific non-monetary
benefits over a three-year period.
Other expense includes interest and amortization charges related to
convertible promissory notes that were outstanding for the first six months of
fiscal 2000. Upon completion of our initial public offering, these notes were
converted into common shares and, as a result, there was no such expense in the
latter half of the year. Interest expense also includes charges on a term loan
with the Royal Bank of Canada and interest on various capital leases.
Net Loss
Our net loss for fiscal 2000 was $7,298,403 ($1.29 per share) compared with
a net loss of $2,212,410 (or $0.57 per share) in fiscal 1999. This largely
reflects a higher level costs in sales and marketing, infrastructure and
research and development. We operate in a fast-growing, competitive market. We
believe that these increased expenditures were necessary for us to strengthen
our position and brand name in the market, maintain technological advantage and
establish an infrastructure to support increased business volumes.
Fiscal year ended May 31, 1999 compared to fiscal year ended May 31, 1998
Revenue
Our revenue for the year ended May 31, 1999 was $1,399,557, an increase of
60.9% as compared to revenue of $870,003 for the year ended May 31, 1998.
Revenue from E-Cruiter Enterprise services increased 41.5% to $1,094,632 in
fiscal 1999 from $773,797 in fiscal 1998. Despite this upward trend, our revenue
from E-Cruiter Enterprise services was less than anticipated due to our change
in sales strategy in mid-fiscal 1999. We decided to target our sales efforts to
medium and larger clients, a change from our original strategy of targeting
sales to small and medium clients. Our change of focus reduced the number of
contracts signed. In fiscal 1999, we signed 49 contracts with a total completion
value of $1,184,000. In fiscal 1998, we signed 116 contracts with a total
completion value of $1,170,696. However, the average size of sales contracts
increased to $24,163 in fiscal 1999 from $10,092 in fiscal 1998.
Revenue from the sale of E-Cruiter Express services increased from $96,165 in
fiscal 1998 to $305,013 in fiscal 1999. This 217.2% increase in revenue
primarily relates to the introduction in March 1998 of our new job posting
software which allows organizations to use the same job requisition to post to
multiple job boards at the same time without having to reformat the original
posting each time.
Cost of Revenue
Our cost of revenue in fiscal 1999 was $848,769 compared to $386,391 in
fiscal 1998 an increase of 119.7%. Our cost of revenue includes the cost of
client support, charges for posting to third-party job boards and our network
operations. The change in each of these expenses from fiscal 1998 to fiscal 1999
is explained as follows:
o Client support expenses were $333,093 in fiscal 1999 compared to $127,808
in fiscal 1998 an increase of 160.6%. This reflects an addition of three
client support personnel and the associated costs of providing these
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personnel with computers and related work tools. Our goal is to provide
better client support than any of our competitors to result in annual
subscription renewals.
o Charges by PositionWatch Ltd., a company that posts jobs to the Internet
for us on a wholesale basis, totalled $76,932 in fiscal 1999 compared to
$19,232 in fiscal 1998 and increase of 300%. This reflects the introduction
of our multi-posting capability in March 1998 where clients use our
services to post jobs to other job boards.
o The cost of supporting our networks increased to $438,744 in fiscal 1999
from $239,351 in fiscal 1998 an increase of 83.3%. These higher costs
largely reflect the addition of two personnel and increased amortization
charges from the purchase of additional servers and related software. We
made these investments in anticipation of additional business volume in
fiscal 2000. We have established goal of zero unplanned network down time
given that our client commitment is service availability 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, 365 days a year. Accordingly, we expect that expenses in
this area will continue to increase as business volume increases.
Expense
Total expense increased by 18.6% in fiscal 1999 to $2,656,750 from $2,329,544
in fiscal 1998. Expense consists of the following cost categories: selling,
marketing, general and administrative and research and development. The change
in total expenses from fiscal 1998 to fiscal 1999 is explained as follows:
o Selling expense in fiscal 1999 increased to $818,601 from $652,118 in
fiscal 1998. This selling expense was primarily attributable to increased
selling activities during the final two quarters of fiscal 1999. Five new
sales representatives were hired to provide greater direct sales coverage
in Toronto, Ontario. We expect selling expense to continue to increase as
we enter new markets and expand our selling efforts.
o An increase in general and administrative expenses also contributed to the
overall increase in expense for fiscal 1999. General and administrative
expenses were $619,265 in fiscal 1999 compared to $349,161 in fiscal 1998.
These costs were higher largely as a result of an increase in personnel,
consulting fees and increased legal costs.
o An increase in research and development costs to $606,088 in fiscal 1999
from $510,974 in fiscal 1998. This increase reflects the addition of
several new software engineering and software verification personnel during
the latter part of the year. We expect that the increase in additional
personnel will further increase our research and development costs in
fiscal 2000 as the additional costs will be incurred for the full year.
Research and development expenses in fiscal 1999 were partially offset by
$103,253 of Canadian federal and provincial government tax credits.
o Lower marketing expenses in fiscal 1999 partially offset our increased
selling, general and administrative and research and development expenses.
Reflecting the change in business strategy in fiscal 1999 described above,
marketing expenses decreased to $612,796 in fiscal 1999 from $817,291 in
fiscal 1998. Upon changing our business focus from a job board business to
a total recruitment management business, we decreased our marketing
expenditures related to the job posting service. We expect that marketing
expenses will increase, however, as we enter new markets.
Other Income and Expenses
Other income and interest income includes interest earned on excess cash held
during the year.
Other expense includes interest and amortization charges related to
convertible promissory notes that were outstanding during the last six months of
fiscal 1999. Interest expense also includes charges on a term loan with the
Royal Bank of Canada and interest on various capital leases.
Net Loss
Our net loss for fiscal 1999 was $2,212,410 (or $0.57 per share). This
compares to a loss of $1,846,785 (or $0.58 per share) in fiscal 1998.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our capital requirements have exceeded cash flow from operations, as we have
been building our business. As a result, we have been substantially dependent
upon sales of common shares and private placements of convertible promissory
notes to finance our working capital requirements. As at May 31, 2000 we had
cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $13,844,507, an increase of
$12,338,725 from May 31, 1999, which is a result of our initial public offering.
Cash used for operating activities during fiscal 2000 was $5,896,691. Our net
loss of $7,298,403 was partially offset by non-cash charges for amortization and
depreciation and lower working capital requirements. Because we invoice and
collect from our clients ahead of revenue recognition, deferred revenues
increased and generated reduced demands on working capital. We also experienced
lower demand on our working capital as a result of increases in accrued
liabilities and trade payables. Net cash used in operating activities in fiscal
1999 was $1,970,187.
During fiscal 2000, we purchased $927,035 in capital assets with the largest
portion of the investment relating to the purchase of servers and software for
our network operations center. While investment in computer hardware and
software is an ongoing requirement, we do not expect the same level of
investment in fiscal 2001. In fiscal 1999 we invested $105,588 in capital
assets. In fiscal 2000 we invested our excess cash in short-term bonds,
commerical and other short-term paper that are issued by Canadian federal or
provincial governments or corporations or banks having high credit ratings.
In terms of financing activities, during the fiscal years 2000, 1999 and 1998,
we achieved the following:
o Completed our initial public offering in December 1999, issuing 2,619,319
common shares for gross proceeds of $23,164,437, providing net proceeds to
the company of $19,498,569 after deducting underwriting discounts and
commissions, expenses paid to the underwriters, accounting and legal and
other expenses.
o In fiscal 1999, we raised $1,000,000 from the issuance of common shares to
Paul Champagne at a price of approximately $2.30 per share.
o In fiscal 1998, we raised $1,500,000 through the issuance of common shares
to Paul Champagne at a price of approximately $1.84 per share. As a result
of these 2 transactions and an earlier share purchase in 1997, Mr.
Champagne became our largest shareholder.
o Over the period of January 22, 1999 to May 26, 1999, we issued 18 senior
secured convertible promissory notes totalling $2,600,000. The cost to
issue the 18 notes totalled $407,079. The notes bore interest at 12% per
year and were secured by substantially all of our assets. The principal and
accrued interest on the notes were converted immediately prior to the
completion of our initial public offering into common shares at the rate of
0.433863 shares for every Canadian dollar of principal and accrued interest
owed on the date of conversion. In fiscal 2000, we paid $275,000 to
Stepping Stone Capital Corporation, a company that assisted us in the
arrangement of the promissory note financing.
o We received and subsequently repaid, a bridge loan of $1,300,000 from our
major shareholder in fiscal 2000.
o During fiscal 2000, we borrowed $190,000 from the Royal Bank of Canada to
purchase capital equipment.
o We entered into various leasing arrangements over during 1998 through 2000
totalling $220,824 for the purchase of fixed assets. These leases have
annual interest rates that range from $12.3% to 27.0% and mature over
varying periods of time. We have pledged the assets purchased as security
for the leases. Repayments on the Royal Bank loan and the capital leases
totalled $183,083 during fiscal 2000 and $105,603 in 1999.
RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO US GAAP
Canadian GAAP differs from U.S. GAAP. There are two differences that affect
our financial statements in material respects, as follows:
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o Under U.S. GAAP, the difference between the exercise price of options
granted to purchase common shares and the fair value of the underlying
shares at the time of grant, assumed to be the public offering price of
US$6.00 per share for options granted prior to our initial public offering,
is accounted for as compensation expense and is charged against earnings
over the vesting period of the options with a corresponding and equal
amount recorded as paid-in-capital.
o Under U.S. GAAP, the proceeds from convertible debt instruments that have
non-detachable conversion features where the fair value of the underlying
common shares exceeds the conversion price of the debt instrument, known as
beneficial conversion features, are allocated between the debt and the
equity components of the instruments. The value ascribed to the beneficial
conversion feature is the excess of the fair value of the underlying shares
over the conversion price up to, but not exceeding, the net proceeds
received by the issuer upon issuance of the convertible debt instruments.
The value ascribed to the beneficial conversion feature is recorded as
paid-in-capital. The discount resulting from the allocation of the proceeds
is recognized as interest expense over the minimum period from the date of
issuance to the date at which the debt holder can realize that return.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued the
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). This statement
establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and
hedging activities and is effective for all fiscal quarters for fiscal years
beginning June 15, 1999. In June, 1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137, which
delays the effective date of SFAS 133 until fiscal years beginning after June
15, 2000. Currently, as the Company has no derivative instruments, the adoption
of SFAS No. 133 would have no impact on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations. To the extent the Company begins to enter into such
transactions in the future, the Company will adopt the Statement's disclosure
requirements in the quarterly and annual financial statements for the year
ending May 31, 2002.
On March 31, 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions involving Stock
Compensation - an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25 (FIN 44), providing new
accounting rules for stock based Compensation under APB Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25). FIN 44 does not change FASB
Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation" (FAS 123). The new
rules are significant and will result in compensation expense in several
situations in which no expense is typically recorded under current practice,
including option repricing, purchase business combinations and plans that permit
tax withholdings. FIN 44 is generally effective for transactions occurring after
July 1, 2000, but apply to repricings and some other transactions after December
15, 1998. The Company does not expect the adoption of this Interpretation to
have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements", which was amended in March 2000 by SAB 101A. The SAB summarizes
certain of the SEC staff views in applying generally accepted accounting
principles to revenue recognition in financial statements. This SAB is effective
beginning with the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2001. The Company does not
expect the adoption to this SAB to have a material impact on its results of
operations or financial position.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
We may not become profitable. Since our inception, we have incurred losses
which have been substantial in relation to our operations. As of May 31, 2000,
the end of our most recent fiscal year, we had an accumulated deficit of
$12,214,843. Our losses are continuing and increasing. We have reported a loss
of $1,821,954 for the three months ended August 31, 2000. Since our inception we
have generated relatively small amounts of revenue. If revenue grows slower than
we anticipate or if operating expenses exceed our expectations, we may not
become profitable. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not sustain or
increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Failure to achieve or
maintain profitability may materially and adversely affect the market price of
our common shares. We expect our operating expenses to continue in connection
with our operations.
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We may not be able to grow our client base and revenue because of the number
of competitors and the variety of sources of competition we face. Our future
success will depend in large part on our ability to rapidly grow and maintain
our client base and revenue. This requires that we offer services that are
superior to the services being offered by our competitors and that we price them
competitively. We compete for a portion of employers' recruiting budgets with
many types of competitors, as employers typically utilize a variety of sources
for recruiting, including:
o traditional offline recruiting firms;
o traditional offline advertising, such as print media;
o resume processing companies;
o Web-based recruitment companies;
o Internet job posting companies; and
o client-server-based software services.
In addition, many employers are developing or may develop their own software
to satisfy their recruitment needs. If we are unable to rapidly grow our client
base and revenue, our business, operating results and financial condition could
be materially adversely affected.
The increasing competition in our markets could affect our ability to expand.
We expect competition to increase and intensify in the future, with increased
price competition developing for our services. A number of our current and
potential competitors have longer operating histories and consequently greater
financial, technical and marketing resources and name recognition than we do
which could give them a competitive advantage. Our competitors may develop
products or services that are equal or superior to ours or that achieve greater
market acceptance than ours. It is also possible that new competitors may emerge
and rapidly acquire significant market share. As a result, we may not be able to
expand our market share and our ability to enter new markets may be adversely
affected.
If we experience client attrition, our operating results will be adversely
affected. Since we generally enter into subscription agreements with our
E-Cruiter Enterprise clients for terms of one year or less, we have no assurance
that a client will remain a long-term client. If we lose a high percentage of
clients after the expiration of their initial subscription, our operating
results will be adversely affected. Since we have only been offering this
service for a short period of time, we do not know what rate of client attrition
to expect. To the extent we experience significant client attrition, we must
attract additional clients to maintain revenue.
We may not be able to strengthen and maintain awareness of our brand name. We
believe that our success will depend to a large degree on our ability to
successfully strengthen and maintain our brand recognition and reputation. In
order to strengthen and maintain our brand recognition and good reputation, we
will need to invest heavily in our marketing and maintain high standards for
actual and perceived quality, usefulness, reliability, security and ease of use
of our services. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand,
particularly after incurring significant expenses in promoting our brand, or
encounter legal obstacles which prevent our continued use of our brand name, our
business and the value of our shares could be materially adversely affected.
Moreover, even if we continue to provide good service to our clients, factors
outside of our control, including actions by organizations that are mistaken for
us and factors generally affecting our industry, could affect our brand and the
perceived quality of our services.
Our success will depend on our ability to enter into strategic relationships
with job posting and other on-line recruitment services to offer an attractive
service to our clients and with a variety of third parties to expand the
distribution of our services. If we are unable to enter into successful
strategic relationships, our business will suffer. We must maintain our existing
relationships with job posting boards and other on-line recruitment services and
enter into additional similar relationships to continue to offer an attractive
service. We also must enter into arrangements with third parties, such as
value-added service providers, to expand the distribution of our services.
Because many of these third parties compete with each other, the existence of a
relationship with any particular third party may limit or preclude us from
entering into a relationship with that third party's competitors. In addition,
some of the third parties with which we seek to enter into relationships may
view us as a competitor and refuse to do business with us. The loss of existing
relationships or our inability to enter into new similar relationships may
adversely affect our ability to improve our services, offer an attractive
service in the new markets that we enter, or expand the distribution of our
services.
We may not be able to expand our business successfully into new geographic
markets. Until recently, we have marketed our services primarily in Canada.
Consequently, all of our current clients are enterprises that are based in
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Canada or that seek to fill job openings in Canada. Our success and ability to
grow our business will depend to a significant degree on our ability to market
our services successfully in new geographic markets, including the United States
markets.
We may lose business if we are not able to successfully develop and introduce
new products, services and features. If we are unable to develop and introduce
new products, services, or enhancements to, or new features for, existing
services, in a timely and successful manner, we may lose sales opportunities.
The market for our services is characterized by rapid and significant
technological advancements, the introduction of new products and services,
changes in client demands and evolving industry standards. The adoption of new
technologies or new industry standards may render our products obsolete and
unmarketable. The process of developing new services or technologies is complex
and requires significant continuing efforts. We may experience difficulties or
funding shortages that could delay or prevent the successful development,
introduction and sale of enhancements or new products and services. Moreover,
new products, services or features which we introduce may not adequately address
the needs of the marketplace or achieve significant market acceptance.
Our business could suffer if financing is not available when required or is
not available on acceptable terms. Our future capital requirements depend on a
number of factors, including our ability to grow our revenue. We believe that we
have sufficient working capital and investments to fund our working capital,
anticipated operating cash flow deficit and capital expenditure requirements for
at least 12 months beyond the date of this annual report. However, it is
possible that we may need to raise additional funds sooner than expected in
order to fund rapid expansion, develop new and enhance existing services or
acquire complementary businesses or technologies. Our business could suffer if
financing is not available when required or is not available on acceptable
terms.
Future financing may be on terms adverse to your interests. If, in the
future, we issue equity or convertible debt securities to raise additional
funds, our shareholders may experience significant dilution of their ownership
interest and holders of those new securities may have rights senior to those of
the holders of our common shares.
We are dependent on key management personnel. Our success will depend largely
on the continuing efforts of our executive officers and senior management,
especially those of John Gerard Stanton, our President and Chief Executive
Officer, Rob Richards, our Chief Operating Officer and Natalie Prowse, our Chief
Technology Officer. Our business may be adversely affected if the services of
any of our key personnel became unavailable to us. Although several of our key
management personnel, including Messrs. Stanton, Richards and Prowse, have
entered into employment agreements with us, there is a risk that these
individuals will not continue to serve for any particular period of time. While
we have obtained a key person life insurance policy on the life of Mr. Stanton
in the approximate amount of $3,000,000, this amount may not be sufficient to
offset the loss of his services.
Our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to protect our
proprietary technologies. Our success depends to a significant degree upon the
protection of our proprietary technologies and brand names. The unauthorized
reproduction or other misappropriation of our proprietary technologies could
provide third parties with access to our technologies without payment. If this
were to occur, our proprietary technologies would lose value and our business,
results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely
affected.
We rely upon a combination of copyright, trade secret and trademark laws
and non-disclosure and other contractual arrangements to protect our proprietary
rights. The steps we have taken to protect our proprietary rights, however, may
not be adequate to deter misappropriation of proprietary information or protect
us if misappropriation occurs. Policing unauthorized use of our technologies and
other intellectual property is difficult, particularly because of the global
nature of the Internet. We may not be able to detect unauthorized use of our
proprietary information and take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual
property rights. If we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual
property rights, the proceedings could be burdensome and expensive and could
involve a high degree of risk.
Others could claim that we infringe upon their proprietary technologies. Our
products, services, content and brand names may be found to infringe valid
copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights held by third
parties. In the event of a successful infringement claim against us and our
failure or inability to modify our technologies or services, develop
non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology, we may
not be able to offer our services. Any claims of infringement, with or without
merit, could be time consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert
management attention, require us to enter into costly royalty or licensing
arrangements, modify our technologies or services or prevent us from using
important technologies or services, any of which could damage our business and
financial condition.
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We may become subject to burdensome government regulation which could
increase our costs of doing business, restrict our activities and/or subject us
to liability Uncertainty and new regulations relating to the Internet could
increase our costs of doing business, prevent us from delivering our services,
slow the growth of the Internet or subject us to liability, any of which could
adversely affect our business and prospects. In addition to new laws and
regulations being adopted, existing laws may be applied to the Internet. There
are currently few laws and regulations directly governing access to or commerce
on the Internet. However, due to the increasing popularity and use of the
Internet, the legal and regulatory environment that pertains to the Internet is
uncertain and continues to change. New and existing laws may cover issues which
include:
o user privacy;
o pricing controls;
o consumer protection;
o libel and defamation;
o copyright and trademark protection;
o characteristics and quality of services;
o sales and other taxes; and
o other claims based on the nature and control of Internet materials.
Computer viruses or software errors may disrupt operations, subject us to a
risk of loss and/or expose us to liability. Computer viruses may cause our
systems to incur delays or other service interruptions. In addition, the
inadvertent transmission of computer viruses or software errors in new services
or products not detected until after their release could expose us to a material
risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. Moreover, if a computer virus
affecting our system is highly publicized or if errors are detected in our
software after it is released, our reputation could be materially damaged and we
could lose clients.
We may experience reduced revenue, loss of clients and harm to our reputation
in the event of system failures. We may experience reduced revenue, loss of
clients and harm to our reputation in the event of unexpected network
interruptions caused by system failures. Our servers and software must be able
to accommodate a high volume of traffic. We have experienced minor system
interruptions in the past, and we believe that system interruptions will
continue to occur from time to time in the future. If we are unable to add
additional software and hardware to accommodate increased demand, we could
experience unanticipated system disruptions and slower response times. Any
catastrophic failure at our network operations center could prevent us from
serving our clients for a number of days, or possibly weeks, and any failure of
our Internet service provider may adversely affect our network's performance.
Our clients may become dissatisfied by any system failure that interrupts our
ability to provide our services to them or results in slower response times. Our
business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate us for any losses
that may occur due to any failures in our system or interruptions in our
services.
Breaches of our network security could be costly. If unauthorized persons
penetrate our network security, they could misappropriate proprietary
information or cause interruptions in our services. We may be required to spend
capital and resources to protect against or to alleviate these problems. In
addition, because we host data for our clients, we may be liable to any of those
clients that experience losses due to our security failures. As a result,
security breaches could have a material adverse effect on our business and the
value of our shares.
Our business depends on Internet service providers to provide satisfactory
service to our clients to enable them to use our services and access job seeker
candidates on-line. Failure of Internet service providers or on-line service
providers to provide access to the Internet to our clients and job seekers would
prevent them from accessing our Web site, which would cause our business to
suffer. Many of the Internet service providers, on-line service providers and
other Web site operators on which we depend have experienced significant service
slowdowns, malfunctions, outages and capacity limitations. If users experience
difficulties using our services due to the fault of third parties, our
reputation could be harmed.
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Our business depends on the development and maintenance of the Internet
infrastructure. We cannot assure you that the Internet infrastructure will
continue to effectively support the demands placed on it as the Internet
continues to experience increased numbers of users, greater frequency of use or
increased bandwidth requirements of users. In the past, the Internet has
experienced a variety of outages and other delays. Any future outages or delays
could affect the willingness of employers to use our on-line recruitment
offerings and of job seekers to post their resumes on the Internet. If any of
these events occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition
could be materially adversely affected.
The existence of registration rights could depress the market for our common
shares. We have granted registration rights with respect to 3,671,540 shares
held by affiliates. These rights become exercisable in December of 2000. These
registration rights are discussed in the "Description of Common Shares --
Registration Rights" section of our prospectus which was filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in December of 1999. We also have granted
registration rights to the underwriter for the common shares issuable upon
exercise of the underwriter's warrants. These registration rights are described
in the "Underwriting" section of the prospectus. We cannot predict the effect,
if any, that sales of these additional securities or the availability of these
additional securities for sale will have on the market prices prevailing from
time to time.
ITEM 9A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
------------------------------------------------------------------
We are primarily exposed to market risks associated with fluctuations in
interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
INTEREST RATE RISKS
-------------------
Our exposure to interest rate fluctuations relates primarily to our
short-term investment portfolio and our bank credit. We invest our surplus cash
in an investment trust established by a Canadian chartered bank. The investment
consists of various short-term, low-risk instruments, and can be withdrawn
without penalty at any time. The interest income from these investments is
subject to interest rate fluctuations which our management believes will not
have a material impact on the financial position of our company.
We have loans outstanding from a Canadian chartered bank. The remaining
balance at May 31, 2000 was $102,917, and the loan bears interest at a rate of
prime plus 3%. We also have a revolving line of credit, which bears interest at
a rate of prime plus 3%, and is available to us in the amount of $300,000. At
May 31, 2000, no amounts had been drawn on the line of credit.
The impact on net interest income of a 100 basis point adverse change in
interest rates for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2000 would have been less than
$80,000.
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
---------------------
We have net monetary asset and liability balances denominated in U.S.
Dollars, including $3,386,711 of short-term investments. Our cash and cash
equivalents are held in Canadian and U.S. dollars. As a result, fluctuations in
the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar will impact our reported cash position.
Since a significant portion of our short-term investments are denominated in
U.S. dollars, a 10% adverse change in foreign exchange rates would result in a
decrease in our reported cash and short-term investments balance of
approximately $350,000.
Page 25
<PAGE>
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND OFFICER OF REGISTRANT
--------------------------------------------
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The following table lists the names of and positions held by each executive
officer and director of the Company:
<TABLE>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
John Gerard Stanton 52 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Andrew Hinchliff 35 Vice President of North American Sales
Natalie Prowse 38 Chief Technology Officer
Jeffery Potts 39 Chief Financial Officer
Kimberly Layne 37 Vice President of Marketing
Roderick Bryden 59 Director
Matthew Ebbs 35 Director
John McLennan 54 Director
</TABLE>
John Gerard Stanton co-founded E-Cruiter in May 1996, and he has been our
President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since our
inception. In 1986, Mr. Stanton founded an out-placement services business,
Drake Beam Morin (Ottawa) Inc., which he operated until March 1998. From 1985 to
1989, he operated Stanton and Associates, a regional executive search firm that
specialized in high technology searches. From 1978 to 1984, Mr. Stanton was Vice
President of Human Resources for Mitel Corporation, a company that designs and
sells telecommunications equipment and semiconductor devices. Mr. Stanton
received his Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University in 1972.
Andrew Hinchliff recently joined us as our Vice President, North American
Sales. He was previously employed by Dell Computer Corporation from September,
1997 to November 2000 where he recently held the position of Manager for Canada,
Preferred Accounts, Dell Canada. From March 1997 to July 1997, Mr. Hinchliff
worked for Minacs doing call centre consulting. Prior to Minacs, he was the
national account manager at Sprint Canada from March to December 1996 and from
1993 to 1995, he was the Director of Sales for Telroute Communications Inc. Mr.
Hinchliff received his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the
University of Toronto in 1988.
Natalie Prowse has been our Chief Technology Officer since August, 2000.
Prior to joining us, Ms. Prowse was the President of NetFacet Computing Inc., a
consulting services company focussing on Web software development, which she
founded in April 1999. From November 1997 to April 1999, Ms. Prowse was the
Canadian Senior Internet Solutions Architect for Digital Equipment Corporation
which became Compaq Canada. From November 1994 to October 1997, Ms. Prowse
worked for JetForm Corporation , where her most recent position with JetForm
Corporation was working in the Advanced Solutions Group within JetForm
Consulting Services. Ms. Prowse graduated from the British Columbia Institute of
Technology, Computer Systems program in 1983.
Jeffery Potts has been our Chief Financial Officer since November 1997. Mr.
Potts joined us in August 1997 and is in charge of our financial and
administrative affairs. From 1989 to August of 1997, Mr. Potts was employed by
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, a global company that designs, sells and
installs nuclear power systems and research reactors, most recently as its
Director of Internal Audit. He received his Bachelor of Commerce with high
honors from Carleton University in 1985. Mr. Potts articled with Arthur Andersen
and Company and earned his Chartered Accountant designation in 1988.
Kimberly Layne has been with the company since May 1999. From January 1994 to
May 1999, Ms. Layne was employed by Necho Systems Corp, a Web-based software
company, where she assisted in the development and delivery of enterprise
software application to the Canadian and U.S. marketplace. From October 1992 to
January 1994, Ms. Layne was employed by Rider BTI, where she was a member of a
Page 26
<PAGE>
small strategic team that developed automated expense report processing
services.
Roderick Bryden has been a member of our board since November 1997. In April
1996, Mr. Bryden co-founded World Heart Corporation and currently serves as its
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bryden is also the majority owner,
Chairman of the Board and Governor of the Ottawa Senators hockey club, a member
of the National Hockey League. In 1974, Mr. Bryden founded SHL Systemhouse,
Inc., with seven senior information systems professionals. SHL Systemhouse, Inc.
became a leading computer integration company with over 3,000 employees and Mr.
Bryden was President and Chairman of SHL Systemhouse Inc. until June of 1991.
Mr. Bryden received his Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University in 1962,
his Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick in 1965 and his Master
of Laws from the University of Michigan in 1966.
Matthew Ebbs has been a member of our board since October 1999. Presently,
Mr. Ebbs is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
LuxurySquare.com Corporation, an electronic business and online catalogue
company. Since January 1998, Mr. Ebbs has been a member of Perley-Robertson,
Hill & McDougall, our Canadian legal counsel. From February 1993 to December
1997, Mr. Ebbs was a lawyer at the firm of Ebbs and Ebbs. Mr. Ebbs received a
Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University in 1987 and his Bachelor of Laws from
the University of Ottawa in 1990.
John McLennan has been a member of our board since November 1997. Presently,
Mr. McLennan is Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Canada. He is
a director of the following public companies: Hummingbird Communications Ltd.,
Leitch Tech Corp., MDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc. and Teletech Holdings Inc. He
is also presently a director of Architel Systems Corporation, a private company
and President of Jenmark Consulting Inc. From 1993 to October 1997, Mr. McLennan
was President of Bell Canada. In 1994, Mr. McLennan became Bell Canada's Chief
Executive Officer. From 1983 to 1993, Mr. McLennan held a number of principal
positions for other telecommunications companies. Mr. McLennan received his
Bachelor of Science from Clarkson University in 1968 and his Master of Sciences
from Clarkson University in 1969.
ITEM 11. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
-----------------------------------------------
During the last three fiscal years ended May 31 we compensated our officers
as set out in the table below. Compensation includes salary, health care
benefits and, where applicable, bonuses, parking, car allowances and
professional accounting and tax services
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
----------- ----------- -----------
Salary Other Salary Other Salary Other
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John Gerard Stanton $ 96,000 $ 12,625 $ 120,000 $ 12,434 $ 120,000 $ 25,175
Evelyn Ledsham (1) n/a n/a 85,000 2,430 97,000 20,896
Rajesh Rao (2) n/a n/a 90,000 2,830 97,000 13,354
Jeff Potts 85,000 2,352 85,000 3,266 97,000 4,182
Kimberly Layne n/a n/a 85,000 141 97,000 3,545
</TABLE>
(1) Evelyn Ledsham was our Vice President of Sales. She discontinued
employment with E-Cruiter.com Inc. on August 25th, 2000. Andrew Hinchliff,
formerly employed by Dell Canada, joined us as Vice President Sales on November
6th, 2000.
(2) Rajesh Rao was our Vice President of Research and Development. He
discontinued employment with E-Cruiter.com Inc. on June 13, 2000. Natalie
Prowse, former owner and president of NetFacet Computing, joined us as Chief
Technology Officer on August 16th, 2000.
We do not provide cash compensation to our directors. Our directors who are
not employees, are eligible to be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses
incurred in attending meetings of the board of directors and its committees.
During fiscal 2000, however, we did not pay any amounts to our directors for
expenses incurred in attending meetings.
Our officers and directors are eligible to receive stock options, pursuant to
our stock option plans, to purchase common shares. During the last three fiscal
years we granted the following options to our directors and officers.
Page 27
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL 1998 FISCAL 1999 FISCAL 2000
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Number of Exercise Number of Exercise Number of Exercise
Options Price Options Price Options Price
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John Gerard Stanton - - - - 60,000 US $6.00
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Evelyn Ledsham(1) - - 43,386 $2.30 - -
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Rajesh Rao(2) - - 32,540 $2.30 - -
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Jeff Potts 21,693 $2.30 21,693 $2.30 - -
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Kimberly Layne - - 8,677 $8.07 - -
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Roderick Bryden 21,693 $2.30 10,847 $2.30 - -
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
John McLennan 21,693 $2.30 23,863 $2.30 - -
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Matthew Ebbs - - - - - -
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Totals 65,079 - 141,006 - 60,000 -
------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
</TABLE>
(1) Evelyn Ledsham discontinued employment with E-Cruiter.com Inc on August
25th, 2000. Andrew Hinchliff, formerly employed by Dell Canada, joined us as
Vice President Sales on November 6th, 2000.
(2) Rajesh Rao discontinued employment with E-Cruiter.com Inc on June 13,
2000. Natalie Prowse, former owner and president of NetFacet Computing, joined
us as Chief Technology Officer on August 16th, 2000.
On June 24, 1999, we granted non-plan options to Sandra Bryden, the spouse of
our director Roderick Bryden, to purchase, on or before June 24, 2001, 21,693
common shares at a price of $2.30 per share. We granted these options to Ms.
Bryden in consideration for Mr. Bryden's services to us as a director.
ITEM 12. OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES FROM REGISTRANT OR SUBSIDIARIES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 OPTION PLAN
In April 1997, we established an option plan for our directors and employees.
The intention of this plan was to develop interest in E-Cruiter.com Inc. and to
provide an incentive to eligible employees and directors to help us grow and
develop.
Eligibility for participation in this plan is limited to our employees and
directors. The number of shares that may be optioned is determined from time to
time by our board of directors. The plan provides that the option price is to be
fixed by the directors from time to time, but may not be lower than the fair
market value of the underlying common shares on the date of grant. The options
will expire five years after their grant, and unless otherwise determined by the
directors, awards will vest one-third each year. In some cases, the directors
may deem it appropriate to accelerate the vesting period of the options. All
options under this plan are non-assignable and terminate 180 days after the
death, disability or retirement of a participant. In addition, all options under
this plan expire upon the termination of the employee's employment or services
other than for reason of death, disability or retirement, except that the
options which have vested may be exercised within 60 days following the date of
termination.
During our fiscal year ended May 31, 2000, 3 individuals exercised options to
purchase 6,508 common shares. As of August 31, 2000, 393,240 options granted
under the plan were outstanding and the exercise price of the options ranges
from $2.30 (US $1.54) to $8.99 (US $6.00). No additional options will be granted
under this plan.
1999 OPTION PLAN
In October 1999, we established a new option plan for our directors and
employees. The intention of this plan is to develop an interest in E-Cruiter.com
Inc. and to provide an incentive to eligible employees and directors to help us
grow and develop.
Eligibility for participation in the plan is limited to our employees and
directors. For any United States directors and employees, the common shares to
be optioned will be designated, at the date of grant, as either incentive stock
Page 28
<PAGE>
options or non-qualified stock options. An incentive stock option is an option
granted under the plan, which is designated as such and meets the definition of
section 422 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986. To meet the definition of
section 422, the individual, at the time the option is granted, cannot own more
than ten percent of all classes of our voting shares, unless the exercise price
of the option is equal to at least 110% of the fair market value of the
underlying common shares. A non-qualified stock option is an option granted
under the plan, which is designated as such and does not constitute an incentive
stock option within the meaning of section 422 of the U.S. Internal Revenue
Code.
The number of common shares that may be optioned at any time will be
determined from time to time by our Audit Committee. The plan provides that the
Audit Committee will fix the terms of the option and the option price, but the
option price may not be lower than the fair market value of the underlying
common shares on the date of grant of the option. The options will expire five
years after their grant, and unless otherwise determined by the Audit Committee,
awards will vest one-third each year. In some cases, the Audit Committee may
deem it appropriate to accelerate the vesting period of the options. Options
issued under the plan will be non-transferable and terminate 180 days after the
death, disability or retirement of a participant. Unless otherwise determined by
the Audit Committee, if a participant's employment or services terminate for any
reason other than death, disability or retirement, any options held by the
participant will terminate, except that vested options will be exercisable for
60 days after the termination date.
We have reserved 250,000 common shares for issuance upon exercise of options
granted under this plan. As of August 31, 2000, 249,142 options granted under
this plan were outstanding and the exercise price of the options ranges from
$4.81 (US $3.21) to $11.68 (US $7.80).
At our shareholders meeting on October 4th, 2000, we received approval to
increase the number common shares reserved for issuance under the 1999 Option
Plan to 1,150,000 shares.
ITEM 13. INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
-------------------------------------------------------
E-Cruiter.com Inc. has entered into a contract with SC Stormont Corporation,
a company controlled by one of our directors, Roderick Bryden. The key terms of
the contract are as follows:
o Contract executed March 6, 2000;
o For financial and business advisory services;
o Monthly retainer of $28,333 per month for the first three months reduced to
$15,000 per month until the contract is terminated: Success fees payable in
cash or in treasury stock for capital or major transactions;
o E-Cruiter.com Inc. or SC Stormont Corporation may terminate the contract with
30 days prior written notice.
PART II
=======
ITEM 14. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
---------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
PART III
========
ITEM 15. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
----------------------------------------
Not applicable.
Page 29
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. CHANGES IN SECURITIES, CHANGES IN SECURITY FOR REGISTERED SECURITIES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND USE OF PROCEEDS
-------------------
USE OF PROCEEDS.
(1) The effective date of the Securities Act registration statement for which
the use of proceeds information is being disclosed in this Item 16 is December
6, 1999 and the Commission file number assigned to such registration statement
is 333-87537.
(2) The offering was commenced after filing of the registration statement with
the Commission on September 22, 1999.
(3)-(4) The offering has terminated and all securities offered pursuant to the
offering were sold. The name of the managing underwriter for the offering is
Whale Securities Co., L.P. The title of the securities registered is common
shares, without par value. The aggregate number of common shares registered was
2,817,500, including 367,500 shares which the underwriter had the option to
purchase to cover over-allotments and of which it actually purchased 301,157
shares; the initial public offering price was US$6.00 per share; the aggregate
price of the offering amount registered was US$16,905,000; the aggregate amount
sold for the account of E-Cruiter.com Inc. was US$15,715,914 and the aggregate
amount sold for the account of selling shareholders was US$791,028.
The actual expenses incurred for the issuer's account in connection with the
issuance of the securities registered were as follows:
Underwriting discounts and commissions US$ 1,388,239
Expenses paid to/for underwriters US$ 471,477
Professional fees US$ 431,111
Other expenses US$ 194,627
The net offering proceeds to E-Cruiter.com Inc. after deducting the total
expenses described above were $19,498,569 (US$13,230,460).
The amount of net offering proceeds used from December 6, 1999 to May 31, 2000
is as follows (figures are approximate amounts):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
o purchase and installation of computer equipment and software $ 660,000
o repayment of indebtedness to principal stockholder, Paul Champagne $ 1,336,898
o working capital $ 345,000
o temporary investments consist of funds that hold short-term bonds, commercial $ 13,597,509
paper and other short term paper that are issued by Canadian federal or
provincial governments of corporations or banks having high credit ratings.
o Marketing and advertising $ 1,175,000
o Hiring of additional employees ( 29 total) $ 305,000
o Cash consumed in other operating activities $ 2,080,000
</TABLE>
Page 30
<PAGE>
PART IV
=======
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
-----------------------------
Not applicable.
ITEM 18 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
----------------------------
See Item 19.
ITEM 19. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
------------------------------------------
(A) LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
----------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Statement of Management Responsibility...................................................... F-1
Auditors' Report to Shareholders of E-Cruiter.com Inc. F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at May 31, 1999 and 2000........................................ F-3
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings for the Three Years Ended
May 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 ....................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Years Ended
May 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000........................................................ F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................. F-7
</TABLE>
(B) LIST OF EXHIBITS:
----------------
2.1 Lease Agreement between Registrant and RT Twenty-Second Pension
Properties Limited, dated March 21, 2000.
2.2 Agreement between Registrant and SC Stormont Corporation for the
provision of financial and business advisory services to Registrant.
Page 31
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING
E-Cruiter.com's management is responsible for the preparation and
presentation of the consolidated financial statements and all the information in
this annual report. The consolidated financial statements were prepared by
management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
Canada. Where alternative accounting methods exist, management has selected
those it considered to be most appropriate in the circumstances. Financial
statements include certain amounts based on estimates and judgements. Management
has determined such amounts on a reasonable basis designed to ensure that the
consolidated financial statements are presented fairly, in all material
respects. Financial information presented elsewhere in this annual report has
been prepared by management to ensure consistency with that in the consolidated
financial statements. The consolidated financial statements have been reviewed
by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors of E-Cruiter.com.
Management is responsible for the development and maintenance of systems of
internal accounting and administrative cost controls of high quality, consistent
with reasonable cost. Such systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance
that the financial information is accurate, relevant and reliable and that the
company's assets are appropriately accounted for and adequately safeguarded.
The company's Audit Committee is appointed by its Board of Directors annually
and is comprised solely of outside directors. The committee meets periodically
with management, as well as with the independent auditors, to satisfy itself
that each is properly discharging its responsibilities, to review the
consolidated financial statements and the independent auditors' report and to
discuss significant financial reporting issues and auditing matters. The Audit
Committee reports its finding to the Board of Directors for consideration when
approving the consolidated financial statements for issuance to the
shareholders.
The consolidated financial statements have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent auditors, in accordance with
auditing standards on behalf of the shareholders. The Auditors' Report outlines
the nature or the examination and their opinion on the consolidated financial
statements of the company. The independent auditors have full and unrestricted
access to the Audit Committee.
/s/ Jeff Potts /s/ John Gerard Stanton
------------------ ----------------------------
Jeff Potts John Gerard Stanton
Chief Financial Officer President and Chief Executive Officer
F-1
<PAGE>
June 23, 2000
AUDITORS' REPORT
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF E-CRUITER.COM INC.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of E-CRUITER.COM INC. as at May
31, 2000 and 1999 and the consolidated statements of loss, shareholders' equity
(deficit) and cash flows for the years ended May 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain
reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the company as at May 31, 2000 and
1999 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended
May 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCooper LLP
---------------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCooper LLP
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
OTTAWA, CANADA
F-2
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS AT MAY 31
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(CANADIAN DOLLARS) 1999 2000
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents (note 3) $ 1,505,782 $ 246,998
Short-term investments (note 3) - 13,597,509
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $50,000 (1999 -
$20,000) 211,757 718,862
Prepaid expenses 101,700 482,957
Other receivables 68,904 65,253
-----------------------------------------
1,888,143 15,111,579
DEFERRED COSTS - 83,040
CAPITAL ASSETS (note 4) 288,067 988,341
-----------------------------------------
$ 2,176,210 $ 16,182,960
=========================================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 411,159 $ 807,345
Accrued compensation 65,650 223,609
Accrued debt issue costs 330,000 -
Deferred revenue 323,469 1,133,840
Current portion of long-term obligations (note 5) 84,173 145,184
Convertible promissory notes - debt component (note 6) 2,162,063 -
-----------------------------------------
3,376,514 2,309,978
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS (note 5) 40,000 42,219
-----------------------------------------
3,416,514 2,352,197
-----------------------------------------
COMMITMENTS (note 5)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Common shares - issued and outstanding - 7,701,628 (1999 - 3,857,479) (note
2a) 3,541,040 26,045,606
Convertible promissory notes - equity component (note 6) 135,096 -
Deficit (4,916,440) (12,214,843)
-----------------------------------------
(1,240,304 ) 13,830,763
-----------------------------------------
$ 2,176,210 $ 16,182,960
=========================================
</TABLE>
Signed on behalf of the Board
/s/ Matthew Ebbs /s/ Roderick Bryden
---------------------------- ---------------------------
Matthew Ebbs Roderick Bryden
Director Director
F-3
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999 2000
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(CANADIAN DOLLARS)
REVENUE $ 870,003 $ 1,399,557 $ 1,752,730
COST OF REVENUE 386,391 848,769 1,624,770
--------------------------------------------------------------
GROSS PROFIT 483,612 550,788 127,960
--------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSE
Selling 652,118 818,601 1,625,434
Marketing 817,291 612,796 2,014,684
General and administrative 349,161 619,265 1,401,991
Research and development 510,974 606,088 2,460,600
--------------------------------------------------------------
2,329,544 2,656,750 7,502,709
--------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING LOSS (1,845,932) (2,105,962) (7,374,749)
Interest and other income 18,543 16,311 767,499
Interest and other expense (19,396) (122,759) (691,153)
--------------------------------------------------------------
NET LOSS FOR THE YEAR $ (1,846,785) $ (2,212,410) $ (7,298,403)
==============================================================
BASIC AND FULLY DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.58) $ (0.57) $ (1.29)
==============================================================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
DURING THE YEAR 3,191,297 3,854,579 5,649,783
==============================================================
</TABLE>
F-4
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(CANADIAN DOLLARS) TOTAL
NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS'
COMMON CONVERTIBLE ACCUMULATED EQUITY
SHARES COMMON SHARES PROMISSORY NOTES DEFICIT (DEFICIT)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance as at May 31, 1997 2,628,561 $ 1,083,530 $ - $ (857,245)$ 226,285
Issuance of shares 813,494 1,500,010 - - 1,500,010
Redemption of shares (5,423) (12,500) - - (12,500)
Net loss for the year - - - (1,846,785) (1,846,785)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at May 31, 1998 3,436,632 2,571,040 - (2,704,030) (132,990)
Issuance of shares 433,863 1,000,000 - - 1,000,000
Redemption of shares (13,016) (30,000) - - (30,000)
Issuance of convertible promissory
notes -equity component - - 135,096 - 135,096
Net loss for the year - - - (2,212,410) (2,212,410)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at May 31, 1999 3,857,479 3,541,040 135,096 (4,916,440) (1,240,304)
Issuance of shares 2,625,828 19,556,067 - - 19,556,067
Issuance of shares through exercise
of options 6,508 15,005 - - 15,005
Conversion of convertible promissory
notes 1,211,813 2,933,494 (135,096) - 2,798,398
Net loss for the year - - - (7,298,403) (7,298,403)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at May 31, 2000 7,701,628 $ 26,045,606 $ - $ (12,214,843) $ 13,830,763
=============================================================================================
</TABLE>
F-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
(CANADIAN DOLLARS)
1998 1999 2000
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss for the year $ (1,846,785) $ (2,212,410) $ (7,298,403)
Amortization of capital assets 122,484 117,150 368,937
Non-cash interest on convertible promissory notes - 104,238 581,335
Net change in operating components of working capital
(note 10) 165,583 20,835 451,440
----------------------------------------------------------------
(1,558,718) (1,970,187) (5,896,691)
----------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of capital assets (97,413) (105,588) (927,035)
Purchase of short-term investments - - (19,756,000)
Sale of short-term investments - - 6,158,491
Purchase of other long-term assets - - (83,040)
Advance to related company (note 7) (106,083) - -
Repayment of advance to related company 106,083 - -
----------------------------------------------------------------
(97,413) (105,588) (14,607,584)
----------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from share issuance 1,500,010 1,000,000 23,164,437
Costs relating to share issuance - - (3,665,868)
Proceeds from exercise of options - - 15,005
Redemption of shares (12,500) (30,000) -
Proceeds from issuance of convertible promissory notes - 2,600,000 -
Costs relating to issuance of convertible promissory notes - (72,079) (275,000)
Proceeds from shareholder loan - - 1,300,000
Repayment of shareholder loan - - (1,300,000)
Proceeds from small business loan 100,000 - 190,000
Repayment of small business loan - (50,000) (137,083)
Capital lease payments (34,195) (55,603) (46,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------
1,553,315 3,387,318 19,245,491
----------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (102,816) 1,311,543 (1,258,784)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR 297,055 194,239 1,505,782
----------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR $ 194,239 $ 1,505,782 $ 246,998
----------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchase of capital assets under capital lease (100,822) (63,149) (56,313)
Proceeds from capital leases 100,822 63,149 56,313
Interest paid (17,332) (20,313) (64,871)
</TABLE>
F-6
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 1998, 1999 AND 2000
(CANADIAN DOLLARS)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
E-Cruiter.com Inc. (the "Company") provides Internet-based recruiting
services to companies of all sizes. The Company began business in the
Ottawa, Ontario market in May 1996 and introduced the first commercial
version of its services in August 1997.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
These financial statements have been prepared by management in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
("Canadian "GAAP") and include the accounts of E-Cruiter.com Inc. and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries. These principles also conform in all
material respects with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States ("U.S. GAAP") except as described in Note 14.
Prior to October 1999, the share capital of the Company consisted of
authorized Class A, B, and C common shares and Class A, B, C and D
special shares of which Class A common and Class D special shares were
issued. All per share amounts and number of common shares in these
consolidated financial statements, for all periods prior to October
1999, have been restated to give retroactive effect to the filing of
the Company's Articles of Amendment.
B) USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ
from these estimates.
C) CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Cash equivalents and short-term investments are stated at cost plus
accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents are
defined as highly liquid investments with terms to maturity at
acquisition of three months or less. Short-term investments are
defined as highly liquid investments with terms to maturity of one
year or less. All cash equivalents and short-term investments are
classified as available for sale.
D) INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS
Investment tax credits, which are earned as a result of qualifying
research and development expenditures, are recognized when the
expenditures are made and their realization is reasonably assured and
are applied to reduce the related research and development capital
costs and expenses in the year.
E) CAPITAL ASSETS
Capital assets are recorded at cost. Amortization is based on the
estimated useful life of the asset and is recorded as follows:
Furniture, equipment and leaseholds 20% declining balance
Office equipment 33% declining balance
Computers and software 60% declining balance
F-7
<PAGE>
F) INCOME TAXES
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for the
tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount and
the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities. Temporary
differences arise when the realization of an asset or the settlement
of a liability would give rise to either an increase or decrease in
the company's income taxes payable for the year or a later period.
Future income taxes are recorded at the income tax rates which are
expected to apply when the future tax liability is settled or the
future tax asset is realized. Valuation allowances are established
when necessary to reduce future income tax assets to the amount
expected to be realized. Income tax expense consists of the income
taxes payable for the period and the change during the period in
future income tax assets and liabilities.
G) FINANCING ISSUE COSTS
Issue costs of convertible debt instruments are allocated between the
debt and equity components of the instruments in the same ratio as the
gross proceeds. These costs are netted against the proceeds and the
portion allocated to the debt component is amortized against earnings
over the term of the instruments.
H) CAPITAL STOCK
Capital stock is recorded as the net proceeds received on issuance
after deducting all share issue costs.
I) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has two stock-based compensation plans as described in
Note 9. No compensation expense is recognized when shares or stock
options are issued to employees. The consideration paid by employees
on the exercise of stock options or purchase of shares is credited to
share capital. If share or stock options are repurchased from
employees, the excess of the consideration paid over the carrying
amount of the shares or stock options cancelled is charged to retained
earnings.
J) REVENUE RECOGNITION
E-Cruiter Enterprise subscription contracts are recognized ratably
over the term of the contract. E-Cruiter Enterprise and E-Cruiter
Express Internet posting services are recognized ratably over the
period of posting. Other client services are recognized as services
are provided.
K) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
The Company expenses all research costs as incurred. Development costs
are expensed in the year incurred unless a development project meets
the criteria under Canadian GAAP for deferral and amortization. No
amounts have been capitalized to date.
3. CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
The Company's cash equivalents of $1,000,000 as at May 31, 1999 consist of
guaranteed investment certificates of a Canadian chartered bank. The
company's short-term investments of $13,597,509 as at May 31, 2000, which
include $3,386,711 denominated in United States dollars, consist of units
in an investment trust established by a Canadian chartered bank. The
investment consists of various short-term, low-risk instruments. Monies
held in this trust can be withdrawn without penalty at any time. These cash
equivalents and short term investments represent the Company's only
significant concentration of credit risk. 4.
F-8
<PAGE>
4. CAPITAL ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 2000
------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATED
NET COST AMORTIZATION NET
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Furniture, equipment and
leaseholds $ 10,127 $ 17,361 $ 7,146 $ 10,215
Office equipment 26,263 102,882 55,510 47,372
Computers and software 251,677 1,518,401 587,647 930,754
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 288,067 $ 1,638,644 $ 650,303 $ 988,341
=======================================================================================
</TABLE>
As at May 31, 1999 accumulated amortization was $281,368. As at May 31,
2000 capital assets include net assets under capital lease of $76,505 (1999
- $81,573) net of accumulated amortization of $144,503 (1999 - $83,122).
5. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
The Company obtained $100,000 in 1998 and a further $190,000 in 2000
through a small business loan arrangement with a Canadian chartered bank to
finance the purchase of certain capital assets. The balance of the loan at
May 31, 2000 was $102,917 (1999 - $50,000). Under the agreement, the
principal is repaid over a 24-month period and interest is accrued at the
rate of prime plus 3%. Assets financed by the loans are pledged as
collateral.
As at May 31, 2000 capital lease obligations totalled $84,486 (1999 -
$74,173) including the current portion of $50,184 (1999 - $34,173). The
leases are for office equipment, computers and software and bear interest
at rates varying from 12.3% to 27.0% per annum, and mature at varying times
from June 2000 to June 2003.
As at May 31, 2000, the Company has a letter of credit outstanding in the
amount of $300,000 relating to an office lease that commences in October
2000.
The Company has also committed to operating leases for its office
facilities and vehicles. Future minimum payments for both operating and
capital leases are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating leases $ 569,900 $ 414,600 $ 270,700 $ 267,700 $ 281,900
Capital leases
Principal 49,428 23,020 9,229 - -
Interest 10,975 2,947 468 - -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total payments $ 630,303 $ 440,567 $ 280,397 $ 267,700 $ 281,900
=======================================================================================
</TABLE>
Rent expense for the year ended May 31, 2000 was $364,277 (1999 - $207,085,
1998 - $134,858).
6. CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTES
In fiscal 1999, the Company issued 12% convertible promissory notes (the
"Notes") with an original maturity date of January 22, 2000, that were
convertible at any time at the Note holders' option into 0.434 common
shares for every dollar of the face value plus accrued interest to the date
of conversion without payment of additional consideration, the equivalent
of $2.30 per share. The Company executed a general security agreement
F-9
<PAGE>
against all its assets as collateral for the Notes. The Notes were
accounted for in accordance with their substance and were presented in the
financial statements in their component parts, measured at their respective
fair values at the time of issue. The debt component was calculated as the
present value of the required interest payments discounted at 25%,
approximating the interest rate that would have been applicable to
non-convertible debt at the time the Notes were issued. Interest expense
was determined on the debt component as the amount necessary to increase
the debt component to its face amount at maturity. The difference between
the debt component and the face value of the Notes was classified as
equity.
In December 1999, the Company converted all of the convertible promissory
notes outstanding into 1,211,813 common shares, resulting in an increase in
share capital of $2,933,494, consisting of the debt and equity components
of the convertible promissory notes plus accrued interest and amortization
on the debt component.
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company was charged $39,382 for office space and administrative
services (1999 - $190,227, 1998 - $161,771) and $189,900 for research,
development and other consulting services (1999 - $130,200, 1998 -
$119,910) by companies controlled by shareholders of the Company. The
Company was charged $nil (1999 - $50,200, 1998 - $47,520) for advertising
and $78,333 (1999 - $nil, 1998 - $nil) for financial consulting services by
companies controlled by a director of the Company. These transactions are
in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount
of consideration paid, which management believes approximates fair market
value. As at May 31, 2000 and 1999, $52,133 and $nil respectively was
payable to these related companies. During 1998 a related company was
provided with a temporary advance in the amount of $106,083. The full
amount, with interest, was repaid in March of 1998.
8. INCOME TAXES
The primary differences between the Company's statutory income tax rate and
the Company's effective income tax rate are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999 2000
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Combined Canadian federal and provincial income tax
rate 44.6% 44.6% 44.5%
Income tax recovery based on combined Canadian
federal and provincial rate $ 824,000 $ 948,000 $ 3,250,000
Permanent differences - - 381,000
Non-deductible amounts (4,000) (5,000) (8,000)
Valuation allowance (820,000) (943,000) (3,623,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for income taxes $ - $ - $ -
================================================================
The income tax effects of the primary temporary differences affecting
future income taxes are:
1998 1999 2000
Scientific research & experimental development
expenses ("SR&ED") 57,000 95,000 162,000
Loss carry forwards 1,103,00 2,021,000 5,374,000
Other - - 50,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
Future income tax asset 1,160,000 2,116,000 5,586,000
Valuation allowance (1,160,000) (2,116,000) (5,586,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net future income taxes $ - $ - $ -
================================================================
</TABLE>
F-10
<PAGE>
The SR&ED expenditures can be carried forward indefinitely and applied to
reduce income taxes otherwise payable in future years. The income tax loss
carry forwards will expire beginning in the year 2004.
9. SHARE CAPITAL
A) SHARE REORGANIZATION
In October 1999, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to (i) create
an unlimited number of a single class of common shares; (ii) convert
the outstanding Class A common and Class D special shares into common
shares on the basis of one Class A common share and one Class D
special share into .216932 of a common share; (iii) cancel all
authorized Class A, B and C common shares and Class A, B, C and D
special shares; and (iv) convert all of the options to purchase Class
D special shares into options to purchase the converted number of
common shares at converted exercise prices. The holders of the common
shares are entitled to one vote at meeting of shareholders for each
common share held and to receive dividends as and when declared by the
Board of Directors
B) EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company has two stock option plans. Under the terms of its 1997
employee and directors stock option plan, the "1997 Plan" the options
to purchase common shares generally vest ratably over a period of
three years and expire five years from the date of grant. The 1997
Plan provides that the number of options and the option exercise price
are to be fixed by the Board of Directors, but the exercise price may
not be lower than the fair value of the underlying common shares on
the date of grant. The Board of Directors has the right to accelerate
the vesting date for any options granted. In the event of a third
party offer to acquire control of the Company that is accepted by a
majority of the shareholders, any options that are not exercisable at
that time, become fully exercisable.
On October 22, 1999, the shareholders approved the 1999 Employee Stock
Option Plan (the "1999 Plan") to replace the 1997 Plan. The 1999 Plan
is similar to the 1997 Plan but includes provisions for directors and
employees who reside in the United States.
Options granted under the 1997 Plan will remain outstanding. No new
options will be granted under that plan.
NUMBER OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE
OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE
Balance outstanding - May 31, 1997 39,048 $2.30
Granted 154,672 $2.30
Cancelled (21,693) $2.30
------------
Balance outstanding - May 31, 1998 172,027 $2.30
Granted 351,972 $3.07
Cancelled (71,805) $2.30
------------
Balance outstanding - May 31, 1999 452,194 $2.77
Granted 232,522 $9.63
Exercised (6,508) $2.30
Cancelled (106,908) $6.09
------------
Balance outstanding - May 31, 2000 571,300 $5.05
------------
F-11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Stock options outstanding as at May 31, 2000 are set out below:
OPTIONS CURRENTLY EXERCISABLE
-----------------------------
RANGE OF EXERCISE NUMBER WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER WEIGHTED AVERAGE
PRICES OUTSTANDING REMAINING LIFE EXERCISABLE EXERCISE PRICE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$2.30 357,508 3.27 186,096 $2.30
$8.07 8,677 3.96 2,892 $8.07
$8.98 108,915 4.22 4,338 $8.98
$10.85 89,700 4.68 - $ n/a
$10.86 - 11.67 6,500 4.74 - $ n/a
-------------------- ----------------------
571,300 3.84 193,326 $2.52
==================== ======================
</TABLE>
As at May 31, 2000, 131,023 common shares have been reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of employee stock options for which no
employee stock options were issued.
During the year ended May 31, 2000, 21,693 options were granted
outside the ESOP to the spouse of a director of the Company. These
non-plan options, which are excluded from the table above, have an
exercise price of $2.30 per share, vest immediately and expire two
years from the date of grant.
C) EARNINGS PER SHARE
For all of the years presented, fully diluted loss per share equals
basic loss per share due to the anti-dilutive effect of employee stock
options and convertible promissory notes. The following outstanding
instruments could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the
future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999 2000
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Stock options 172,027 452,194 571,300
Convertible promissory notes - 1,141,328 -
----------------------------------------------------------------
Potential increase in number of shares from
dilutive instruments 172,027 1,593,522 571,300
----------------------------------------------------------------
10. NET CHANGE IN OPERATING COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL
1998 1999 2000
Accounts receivable $ (309,808) $ 158,869 $ (507,105)
Prepaid expenses (11,545) (86,391) (381,257)
Investment tax credits - (48,904) 3,651
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities 136,160 141,550 396,186
Accrued compensation 31,641 30,009 157,959
Deferred revenue 319,135 (38,469) 810,371
---------------------------------------------------------------
165,583 156,664 479,805
Amounts included in accounts payable at year end related
to fixed asset purchases - (135,829) (85,861)
Accounts payable settled through the issuance of shares - - 57,496
---------------------------------------------------------------
$ 165,583 $ 20,835 $ 451,440
---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE>
11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents,
short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued
liabilities. It is management's opinion that the Company is not exposed to
significant interest, currency or concentrations of credit risks arising
from these financial instruments other than as disclosed in note 3. The
fair values of these financial instruments approximate their carrying
values, unless otherwise noted.
12. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
In the opinion of management, the Company operates solely in the software
industry and all of its sales consist of Web-centric recruiting products
and related services. Accordingly, management has determined that it does
not have any separately reportable business segments. To date the Company's
operations, assets and substantially all of its sales have been in Canada.
13. SALE OF CAREERBRIDGE
On December 1, 1999, the Company sold its CareerBridge.com regional job
board. As consideration for the sale, the Company received specific
non-monetary benefits for a period of three years. These benefits include
no-charge on-line advertising, preferential reseller terms, discounts on
job postings, and no-charge access to the services provided by the
Workopolis Web site operated by Thomson Canada Limited.
Included in other income for the year ended May 31, 2000 is a gain on sale
of $311,563 reflecting the fair value of no-charge and preferential
services received. The fair value of the job posting discounts will be
recognized in earnings in the quarter the postings are made.
14. UNITED STATES ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian
GAAP. These principles differ, as they affect the Company, in the following
material respects from U.S. GAAP:
A) STATEMENTS OF LOSS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
MAY 31, 1998 MAY 31, 1999 MAY 31, 2000
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss in accordance with Canadian GAAP $ (1,846,785) $ (2,212,410) $ (7,298,403)
Compensation expense adjustment for options issued below
fair value (1) - (125,947) (702,682)
Expense adjustment for convertible promissory notes with
conversion price below the fair value of the shares
(2) - (2,526,378) 440,417
--------------------------------------------------------
Net loss in accordance with U.S. GAAP $ (1,846,785) $ (4,864,735) $ (7,560,668)
--------------------------------------------------------
Basic and diluted loss per common share - U.S. GAAP $ (0.58) $ (1.26) $ (1.34)
--------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the year 3,191,297 3,854,579 5,649,783
--------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE>
B) BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MAY 31, 1999 MAY 31, 2000
<S> <C> <C>
Total assets $ 2,176,210 $ 16,182,960
============================================
Convertible promissory notes - debt (2) 2,630,616 -
Other current liabilities 1,214,451 2,309,978
--------------------------------------------
3,845,067 2,309,978
Long-term obligations 40,000 42,219
--------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 3,885,067 2,352,197
--------------------------------------------
Capital stock 3,541,040 28,131,567
Additional paid-in-capital (1) (2) 2,318,868 828,629
Deficit (1) (2) (7,568,765) (15,129,433)
--------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity (deficit) (1,708,857) 13,830,763
--------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,176,210 $ 16,182,960
============================================
</TABLE>
(1) Under U.S. GAAP, the difference between the exercise price of
options and the fair value of the underlying shares, which is
assumed for US GAAP purposes to be the public offering price
of US$6.00 per share for options granted prior to the
Company's initial public offering, is accounted for as
compensation and is charged against earnings over the vesting
period of the options with a corresponding and equal amount
recorded as paid-in-capital.
(2) Under U.S. GAAP, the proceeds from convertible debt
instruments that have non-detachable conversion features where
the fair value of the underlying common shares exceeds the
conversion price of the debt instrument ("beneficial
conversion features") are allocated between the debt and the
equity components of the instruments. The value of the
beneficial conversion feature is measured by the excess of the
fair value of the underlying shares over the conversion price
up to, but not exceeding, the net proceeds received upon
issuance of the convertible debt instruments. The value
ascribed to the beneficial conversion feature is recorded as
paid-in-capital. The discount resulting from the allocation of
the proceeds is recognized as interest expense over the
minimum period from the date of issuance to the date at which
the debt holder can realize that return.
The Company has allocated all of the proceeds of the
convertible promissory notes to paid-in-capital. The discount
resulting from the allocation was expensed for US GAAP
purposes upon issuance of the convertible promissory notes as
they are immediately convertible at the Note holders' option.
F-14
<PAGE>
C) SHARE BASED COMPENSATION
The company has adopted the disclosure-only provision of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation" (SFAS 123). Had compensation cost for options been
determined based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model at the
grant date as prescribed by SFAS 123, the Company would have reported
a greater compensation expense related to these options than recorded
under APB 25, increasing the Company's net loss as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
MAY 31, 1998 MAY 31, 1999 MAY 31, 2000
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss under U.S. GAAP $ (1,846,785) $ (4,864,735 ) $ (7,560,668)
Estimated incremental share based compensation
expense (20,000) (160,246) (712,322)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net loss $ (1,866,785) $ (5,024,981) $ (8,272,990)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma basic loss per share (0.58) (1.30) (1.46)
----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The weighted average fair value of the options issued during the year
ended May 31, 2000, as calculated using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model, was $6.72 (1999 - $5.35, 1998 - $0.45). Of the options
issued during the year ended May 31, 1999, 280,927 were issued with
exercise prices below the fair value at the date of grant. The
weighted average fair value of these options was $6.50 and the
weighted average exercise price was $2.93. The remaining 71,045
options issued during the year ended May 31, 1999 were issued with
exercise prices equal to fair value. The weighted average fair value
of these options was $0.78 and the weighted average exercise price was
$3.65.
The fair value of each option granted during 1998 and 1999 is
estimated on the date of the grant using the minimum value method
while options issued during the year ended May 31, 2000 were valued
using the Black-Scholes options pricing model at the date of grant.
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the
fair values:
1998 1999 2000
Expected option life, in years 4.5 4.5 3.5
Risk free interest rate 5.0% 5.0% 5.0%
Dividend yield nil nil nil
Volatility rate nil nil 100%
D) REVENUE RECOGNITION
During the year ended May 31, 1999, the company adopted Statement of
Position ("SOP") 97-2 "Software Revenue Recognition" and SOP 98-4
"Deferral of the Effective Date of a Provision of SOP 97-2" which
provide guidance in recognizing revenue from software transactions.
SOP 97-2 conforms with Canadian GAAP and the adoption of it did not
have a material impact on the Company's results for the year ended May
31, 1999. In December 1998, SOP 98-9 "Modification of SOP 97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain Transactions" was
released. The Company adopted SOP 98-9 for its fiscal year ending May
31, 2000. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on
its revenue recognition.
In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101,
"Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements" ("SAB No. 101") which
summarizes certain of the SEC staff's views in applying generally
accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial
statements. The Company plans to adopt the accounting provisions of
SAB No. 101 in the first quarter of 2001. The Company does not believe
F-15
<PAGE>
that the implementation of SAB No. 101 will have a significant effect
on its results of operation.
E) OTHER RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" ("SOP 98-1")
which provides guidance for determining whether computer software is
internal-use software and on accounting for the proceeds of computer
software originally developed or obtained for internal use and then
subsequently sold to the public. It also provides guidance on
capitalization of the costs incurred for computer software developed
or obtained for internal use. The Company adopted SOP 98-1 for its
fiscal year ending May 31, 2000. Adoption of this standard did not
have a material impact on its financial statements.
F-16
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing
on Form 20-F and has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
E-Cruiter.com Inc.
------------------
(Registrant)
By: /s/ John Gerard Stanton
--------------------------------
John Gerard Stanton
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 27, 2000
-------------------
<PAGE>
LIST OF EXHIBITS
2.1 Lease Agreement between Registrant and RT Twenty-Second Pension
Properties Limited, dated March 21, 2000.
2.2 Agreement between Registrant and SC Stormont Corporation for the
provision of financial and business advisory services to Registrant.
