Welcome to Collisions YYC, a podcast centered around Calgary’s economic transformation.
Over the past four years, we’ve grown to include more Alberta-centric content on the show.
Join me, Tyler Chisholm, as I talk with the leaders, innovators, and thinkers in our community who are pushing change. They share their perspective on what economic transformation means for our province, and what needs to be done to drive us forward.
Whether you’re a business leader, a tech innovator, a concerned citizen or simply looking curious, this podcast will shed light on the many pockets of innovation, fresh thinking and support networks that are all around us.
In this episode, President of Wayfinder Corp, Paul Petten, joins the show to explore how intentional community support drives business success. Not only does Paul touch on the regulatory landscape of the oil and gas industry in Western Canada, but he explores company culture and efficient operations in a candid way. From balancing caution with excitement to the power of consistent communication, Paul’s impactful approach will inspire you.
In this episode, hear from exceptional storyteller Jeff Humphreys, creator of The Calgary Sessions podcast and President and CEO of Shortline Creative. Jeff shares his insightful journey from traditional agency work to focusing on digital storytelling, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and adapting to new challenges in the creative industry.
In this episode, Conor Chell returns to Collisions YYC as a Partner and the National Leader of ESG Legal Risk & Disclosure at KPMG Canada, breaking down global legislation impacting Canadian businesses. Conor brings a wealth of experience navigating complex regulations, including competition laws, the Modern Slavery Act, and the newly implemented Bill C-59, aimed at curbing greenwashing. His empathetic approach acknowledges the significant challenges organizations face, from rising compliance costs to the pressure of managing supply chain transparency in a climate of ever-tightening legislation. Conor explains how companies can adapt to these changes and leverage them as opportunities to differentiate themselves in the marketplace by moving beyond greenwashing to genuine transparency.
In this episode, hear from two local legends - Jade Alberts and Sepehr Shoarinejad - on the realities of entrepreneurship. Jade shares his no-nonsense approach to startup success, focusing on the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team, making data-driven decisions, and understanding that sometimes you have to pivot—whether you like it or not.
Sepehr dives into the emotional side of entrepreneurship, from the highs of closing a deal to the lows of missed payroll, and offers practical advice on managing mental health while navigating the rollercoaster ride of running a business. He also unpacks the pitfalls of “entrepreneurial glamour,” reminding founders that passion alone won’t pay the bills. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants a reality check on what it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.
In this episode, returning guest and Five-Timers Club member, Jennie Gilbert from SAIT’s School of Corporate training, shares meaningful insights into the dynamics of management versus leadership. Jennie recognizes that while “leader” is a title, “leadership” is a behaviour. With years of experience guiding leaders to elevate their teams, Jennie is an expert on the balancing act that modern leaders face, caught between delivering results and managing people. She underscores the challenges “working leaders” face - those who must balance their managerial duties (such as delegation and execution) with people-oriented leadership. Effective "working leaders" need to foster a feedback culture that supports growth and development - something many leaders avoid or handle poorly. Jennie also explains how people are often over-tasked and under-resourced, making it even more challenging for "working leaders" to manage their time and responsibilities effectively.
In this episode, learn from Keith Daser, founder of Deliver Digital, to explore the rapidly changing world of business and technology. Keith shares candid insights into how companies can navigate the complex tech landscape, emphasizing the importance of seeking external perspectives to avoid common pitfalls like over-mitigating risks and overspending on platforms like Microsoft licensing. Keith explains why strategic decision-making is crucial when investing in technology, especially in a world where customer experience is more important than ever, and businesses are overwhelmed by digital noise.
In this episode, hear from Karin Borgersen, Director of Customer Product Solutions and Marketing at ENMAX, for a deep dive into the future of marketing in Alberta's energy sector. Karin shares her insights on how modern marketing transforms essential services like electricity and natural gas, where personalization and customer-centric strategies are making a huge impact. She discusses how to create seamless customer interactions—whether online or over the phone—and the importance of scaling personalization across a broad customer base. Karin also emphasizes the need to move beyond campaign-specific metrics, focusing instead on driving business outcomes like market share growth and customer retention. With parallels to her decade-long experience in telecommunications, she explores how lifecycle marketing and the energy transition are reshaping this vital industry.
In this episode, Brenda Beckedorf, CEO of Society 5.0, takes us on an eye-opening journey through the pulse of Alberta’s business landscape, where 4,000 startups are part of a 160,000-strong network of companies reshaping traditional industries like energy and construction. She unpacks AI and digital transformation’s pivotal role in this shift while confronting the reality that 22% of the workforce is set to retire in the next five years. With younger generations embracing a tech-forward lifestyle and remote work, she paints a vivid picture of a future where adaptability is key. Her call to action? Leaders must evolve—fast.
In this episode, get the lay of the investment landscape in Western Canada with returning guest and General Partner at Weave VC, Mark Mitchell. Mark highlights the importance of long-term relationships and ‘patient capital’ in the investment process through a story of why it took five years to complete his eighth investment and why this slow, thorough approach leads to outsized returns.
Let’s see where we are headed.
Big thinking on big issues
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