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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn this episode, the CEO of InceptionU, Margo Purcell, walks us through her meticulously crafted formula for tackling new challenges, inspired by a focus on creating opportunities to enable clients to become future-fit, emphasizing their ability to cope with and respond to change effectively. We tackle the nuts and bolts of complex decision-making, and how understanding the root problem is essential before implementing solutions. Margo sheds light on the pitfalls of default thinking and the crucial role of continuous learning in adapting to rapid technological changes.
Read MoreIn this episode, hear from clearmotive marketing’s new Director of Digital Marketing, Jake Surrey, as he shares critical insights on Google's antitrust trial, emphasizing the need for skepticism and quality expertise in navigating ad platforms. He shares his theories on why Google is corralling its advertisers into vague products, like performance max campaigns and tips on how small companies with small budgets can make a big impact online.
Read MoreIn this episode, explore the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for society, education, and ethical decision-making with Dr. Lauren J. Dwyer, Assistant Professor of Information Design at Mount Royal University. Lauren highlights fields where AI is making strides, including medical advancements, computer vision, language translation, self-driving vehicles, and climate change prediction, and the critical role of human decision-making alongside AI integration.
Read MoreIn this episode, Jake Stika, co-founder and executive director of Next Gen Men, offers a deep dive into the evolving conversations around gender and masculinity in today's society. Jake discusses the impact of figures like Joe Rogan and Andrew Tate, the role of the “Manosphere,” and the growing recognition of men’s issues among women. Through a candid and empathetic lens, Jake reveals how redefining masculinity can lead to more inclusive workplaces and healthier, more productive leaders. As the business world shifts towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, understanding these gender dynamics is crucial for fostering a culture of innovation and resilience.
Read MoreIn this episode, explore the future of fleet vehicles—specifically electric school buses—in Canada with Cedric Smith, Director of Transportation at Pollution Probe. Cedric kicks off the episode with a financial analysis comparing electric and diesel school buses, revealing that while electric buses have a higher initial cost, federal incentives make them more cost-effective over a 13-year period. Cedric emphasizes the importance of publicly shared research in aiding fleet operators to make informed decisions, particularly in cold Canadian climates.
Read MoreIn this episode, discover the four building blocks to successful digital transformation with Kamales Lardi, CEO of Lardi and Partner Consulting, keynote speaker and globally recognized digital transformation expert. Joining all the way from Zurich, Switzerland, Kamales will help you understand the challenges traditional companies face in adapting to change and the significance of purpose in driving sustainable success.
Read MoreIn this episode, discover how Bōde Canada is revolutionizing real estate transactions with a tech-forward approach, leveraging AI and data insights. Robert reveals how Bode leverages AI and metadata to enhance data insights and streamline their platform, backed by a significant seed financing round comparable to a Series A. They delve into the cultural importance of customer centricity at Bode, emphasizing the monthly and quarterly reviews of customer feedback that guide their strategic decisions.
Read MoreIn this episode, Liz O’Connell, CEO at Arolytics, gives a real-world look at business strategy and market navigation, particularly regulatory uncertainties and emissions management. Liz emphasizes the significance of being future-proof, prioritizing a "net 0" footprint, and the importance of measurement-based inventories to show reductions in emissions. The discussion also covers the differences in investment dynamics between the US and Alberta. Liz highlights Arolytics’ strategic alliances, including a lead investor from BDC and a Houston-based strategic investor with emission space connections.
Read MoreIn this episode, discover the journey from startup to success story at Benevity with Founder and Executive Chairperson Bryan de Lottinville. Bryan shares the story of how winning Nike as a client with a small, dedicated 11-person team allowed them to overcome scalability challenges rooted in tech debt. Bryan also candidly explores how, as the company grew, maintaining its strong, values-driven culture became more challenging.
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