E474 – Current & Critical – Craig Senyk, Cultivating Community and Culture to Reach $90BN AUM
In this episode, explore the world of investment management with Craig Senyk, Board Chair at Mawer Investment Management, a global firm based in Calgary. Craig explores the innovative ways Mawer fostered a strong organizational culture and community within the firm, especially during challenging times like COVID-19. He discusses the transformation from quarterly lunches to weekly investment calls, the importance of maintaining a flat organizational structure, and how they promote core behaviours like candour, curiosity, accountability, and appreciation.
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E473 – Current & Critical – Ian Macdonald, Understanding Calgary’s Tech Success: Economic Impact and Startup Support
In this episode, get a peek at the heart of Calgary’s explosive growth with Ian Macdonald, Business and Innovation Leader, KPMG High Growth Ventures at KPMG. Over the past five years, Calgary has emerged as the fastest-growing tech hub in North America, boasting a staggering 78% growth rate from 2018 to 2024. Ian sheds light on his unique role at KPMG, where he focuses on forming meaningful relationships within the tech and innovation sectors. We discuss KPMG's strategic investments, the power of the Platform Innovation Center, and the Ignition Center's innovative approach to solving complex business challenges.
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E472 – Current & Critical – Israel Peck, Profitability Through People: Three Things to Stop Doing to Increase Your Margin (Part 2 of 2)
In this episode, we continue our culture conversation with Israel Peck, Founder and CEO of Cratic—a company specializing in measuring and enhancing company culture and performance. This is part two of our series, building on the insights from Profitability Through People: Effective Team-Building and Cultural Strategies. Shifting focus, we explore three key practices to stop doing that can immediately impact your profitability. Israel examines the pivotal role middle management plays in shaping workplace dynamics, the influence of different leadership styles on team outcomes, and the importance of replacing manipulative tactics with genuine, curiosity-driven questioning. Backed by insights from Harvard Business Review and McKinsey, this episode underscores how small, strategic changes in workplace culture can lead to a 3x increase in profit margins.
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E471 – Current & Critical – Israel Peck, Profitability Through People: Effective Team-Building and Cultural Strategies (Part 1 of 2)
In this episode, hear from Israel Peck, an authority on team strategy and organizational culture, who is also the Founder and CEO of Cratic. In this first part of our engaging two-part series, Israel shares his expert opinions on topics critical to improving workplace dynamics and boosting profitability. He highlights simple yet impactful strategies for building trust, integrating aspects of coaching, psychology, and open communication to improve team dynamics. Israel also stresses the importance of understanding and addressing employees’ actual needs and desires, which can significantly enhance team cohesiveness and overall business performance.
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E470 – Current & Critical – Lisa Baril, Insights on Efficient and Purpose-Driven Meetings for Leaders
In this episode, discover tried and true methods to enhance your team dynamics and make more impactful meetings from Lisa Baril, Owner and Principal at LCH Relations Inc. As an award-winning facilitator and strategic advisor, Lisa has deep expertise in change management, organizational culture, and effective communication. She can help you unpack the core elements that make meetings productive and meaningful.
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E469 – Current & Critical – Chris Jones, Navigating Business Exits and Ownership Transitions
In this episode, multi-hyphenate Chris Jones—business team coach, best-selling author, EOS implementer, and speaker—returns to the show to explore the complexities of modern leadership and business transitions. By unpacking the evolving mindset of today’s leaders and entrepreneurs, Chris shares predictions on an upcoming wave of business exits as Boomers retire and the psychological challenge faced by entrepreneurs on how to separate their identity from their business.
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E468 – Current & Critical – Meghan Donohoe, How to Transform your Leadership: Adaptability, Connection, and Growth
In this episode, unpack the complex and nuanced world of leadership and organizational dynamics with the equally dynamic Meghan Donohoe, Co-Founder of Pebble, a company dedicated to truly innovative leadership development. While challenging the common tendencies people have to blame leaders, Meghan also dissects the unsustainable expectations placed on them.
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E467 – Current & Critical – Russ Altman on HubSpot, CRM Utilization, and Solving Founder-Led Sales Challenges
In this episode, Russ Altman, Director of Business Development at Stack’d Consulting, shares how founder-led sales can become a bottleneck for business growth and explains why stepping out of the process is crucial for scaling. He discusses the importance of stepping back and implementing systems like CRM tools, which allow businesses to grow beyond the founder’s personal bandwidth. With a focus on efficiency and sustainability, Russ explains how delegating critical roles and trusting experts can help founders avoid burnout while driving long-term growth.
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E466 – Current & Critical – Jared Marley, Balancing Wildlife and Industry: Co-Existence Strategies
In this episode, Jared Marley, Director of Business Development at Margo Supplies, shares how his company is revolutionizing human-wildlife conflict management through cutting-edge technology. Jared shares how Margo Supplies uses tools like wildlife tracking collars, electric fences, and non-lethal deterrents to help industries, communities, and wildlife coexist more harmoniously. From Alberta’s oil fields to remote wilderness areas, Jared explains how human development often overlaps with natural habitats and how his company’s tech-driven solutions are minimizing the negative impacts on wildlife while keeping communities safe.
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E465 – Current & Critical – Joanna Pariseau & Melissa Boerger, Food Meets Tech: Innovating Your Local Dining Scene
In this episode, Melissa Boerger and Joanna Pariseau, co-founders of Taste the City, share the story behind their innovative approach to food tourism. Combining technology with a deep understanding of restaurant culture, Melissa and Joanna have redefined what it means to experience a city’s culinary scene. They discuss how Taste the City provides food-forward experiences by allowing locals and visitors to explore multiple restaurants in one evening through seamless, digitally guided tours.
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E464 – Current & Critical – Stéphane Hamel, Balancing Data Privacy and Effective Marketing: Today’s Biggest Challenges
In this episode, explore the collision of data privacy and digital marketing with Stéphane Hamel, teaching fellow at Laval University. He pulls back the curtain on the challenges posed by advertising behemoths like Google and Facebook. Businesses are not just dealing with hefty ad bills but also passing these costs onto customers. Drawing upon his extensive background—ranging from academia to consultancy—Stephane provides actionable insights into balancing effective marketing with robust privacy safeguards.
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E463 – Current & Critical – Paul Petten, Ensuring Stability and Security in Fracking Through Localized Sand Supply
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.
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E462 – Current & Critical – Jeff Humphreys, Fostering Authentic Connections: Podcasting and Branding
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.
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E461 – Current & Critical – Conor Chell, Global Regulatory Trends: New Compliance Demands and Business Adaptation
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.
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E460 – Current & Critical – Jade Alberts and Sepehr Shoarinejad, Alberta's Startup Ecosystem: Wisdom and Warnings from Industry Influencers
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.
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E459 – Current & Critical – Jennie Gilbert, The Rise of the "Working Leader": What it Means for You
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.
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E458 – Current & Critical – Keith Daser, Optimizing Technology Investments and Customer Experience
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.
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E458 – Current & Critical – Karin Borgersen, Life Cycle Marketing in the Age of Energy Transition
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.
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