E416 – Current & Critical – Lisa Eyamie, How to Plot Your Course through Digital Transformation
In this episode, navigate the complex skies of leadership, innovation and digital transformation in the airline industry with Lisa Eyamie, Director of Digital Roadmap and Innovation at WestJet. We begin by exploring the unique challenges Lisa faced joining WestJet just prior to the global upheaval caused by COVID-19, a time that tested and accelerated airline innovation like never before. From there, she highlights the new aerospace innovation hub, purpose-built to bring start-ups and organizations physically together in the Calgary airport where they can learn and understand solutions that are out there to bring more to our economy and our city, solving real business problems in the aerospace industry. This episode will inspire you to find unique paths forward, no matter your industry or role.
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E415 – Current & Critical – Temi Okesanya, How to Find Product Market Fit - Stories from the Front Lines of Growth
In this episode, Temi Okesanya, CEO and Founder of Road Aider, shares the drive behind the app's ascent in the digital roadside assistance space. He discusses the strategic shifts from hands-on tasks to steering the company's broader vision, a journey marked by subscriber growth. Temi navigates the challenges and strategies of introducing a membership-based model, emphasizing technology's role in reducing wait times and enhancing service commitment. If you're intrigued by the innovation in roadside assistance and the entrepreneurial journey in Western Canada, tune in for a deep dive into Road Aider's roadmap to success.
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E414 – Current & Critical – Aidan Campbell, How to Blend Art and Ambition into Business Success
In this episode, gain valuable insights on transitioning from commercial videography to business ownership with Aidan Campbell, Co-Founder and CEO of 2C Media. This Calgary video production house delivers versatile, striking content that lives beyond a single campaign and spans multiple platforms. Aidan highlights how his personal and professional values align to drive creativity and strategic business leadership. This episode is perfect for anyone struggling with entrepreneurship and needs a reminder to redefine your approach to creativity in business.
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E413 – Current & Critical – Nathan Piché, The Complex World of Copyrights and Trademarks Explained - Ignore at Your Own Risk!
In this episode, learn how to stay savvy and protected with Nathan Piché, Lawyer and Trademark Agent at Gowling WLG. Legal issues can be daunting, but with 95% of legal disputes being settled before trial, having the right legal expert in your business’s corner gives you the upper hand. Tune in to learn about the importance of trademarks and understanding copyright, navigating the complex world of brand protection, and misconceptions of domains, company names, and trademark nuances.
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E412 – Current & Critical – Mackenzie McDougal and Tim Parrish, How to Innovate and Thrive in a Legacy Industry
In this episode, explore the world of cutting-edge laser scanning technology, its impact on construction and architecture, and the challenges and successes of incorporating this technology into a traditional industry - land surveying. MacKenzie McDougall, scanning technician and Tim Parrish, business development specialist, are colleagues at Arc Surveys. This conversation with them explores the importance of discipline and clear parameters when testing and learning from failures, prioritizing customer needs, and the ever-evolving landscape of technology in business.
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E411 – Current & Critical – Shannon Vander Meulen, Start-up to Scale-up: WaitWell - A Calgary Success Story
In this episode, Shannon Vander Meulen, Co-Founder and CMO of WaitWell, unveils her journey from the analog chaos of paper ticket systems to spearheading a virtual queue and customer service revolution. Uncover how her personal experiences shaped the creation of a robust solution that melds customer experience with smart business intelligence. She outlines the strategies that drive marketing across diverse industries and the necessity of tailoring language and approaches while also identifying why experimentation is crucial to marketing success. Shannon also shares insights on leveraging data analytics and the roles of digital marketing and community engagement in 2024.
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E410 – Current & Critical – Steven Brierley, How to Redefine "Retirement" to Make it Work for You
In this episode, challenge your perceptions of age with Steve Brierley, a Founder who is redefining what retirement and purpose can be. Steve spent his entire career working in the corporate sector and in post-secondary education. As he approached retirement, he found himself wondering what to do next. Despite societal expectations, he was not ready to stop working and was determined to find a new purpose and continue contributing in a meaningful way.
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E409 – Follow the Money – Darcy Tuer, Navigating VC Funding and Financial Wellness through the ZayZoon Growth Story
In this episode, the CEO of ZayZoon, Darcy Tuer, reflects on the strategic aspects of raising capital, the hurdles of securing investment, and the need for a disciplined approach to business growth. He shares his insights on balancing growth and risk in the business, navigating the challenges of being a Western Canadian company when engaging with VCs, and the significance of enterprise value creation post-Series B funding. If you’re curious about the intricacies and challenges of raising capital, tune in for an overview.
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E408 – Current & Critical – Tracey Bodnarchuk, Canada Powered by Women: Insights on the Energy Conversation across Canada
In this episode, understand women’s critical role in shaping energy policies with Tracey Bodnarchuk, CEO of Canada Powered by Women, which is on a mission to create trusted spaces for women to participate in national energy transformation conversations and to represent their points of view to influence public perception, policymakers, and government. Tracey highlights the significance of seeking common ground and nonpartisanship in critical energy conversations, addressing the challenges of extreme voices and emphasizing the need for psychological safety in a landscape where attacks are common.
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E407 – Current & Critical – Jenny Lemieux, Future of Farming: Integrating Technology and Tradition in Specialty Crop Agriculture
In this episode, dive deep into the world of precision agriculture with Jenny Lemieux, Co-Founder and CEO of Vivid Machines, an ag-tech company backed by Calgary-based venture capital fund, Tall Grass Ventures. From the challenges of introducing technology to analog industries and overcoming cultural barriers in the food supply chain, Jenny explains how technologies, including machine learning, robotics and computer vision, can improve everything from soil health to monitoring and management of farms. Agriculture is one of the most tech-driven industries due to the scope and scale of industrial farming, such as historical issues of accurately assessing crop yields in real-time. This episode is a must-listen if you’re curious about digital transformation, agriculture, or technology.
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E406 – Current & Critical – Tara Langan, Embracing Neurodiversity: How To Create an Inclusive Workplace
In this episode, explore neurodiversity in the workplace with Tara Langan, Owner of Career TLC. Tara provides career professionals in transition with coaching and supports neurodivergent individuals in finding comfort and success in their current work environments. She also works with organizations to educate them on neurodiversity and help them incorporate it into their social responsibility plans. Tara highlights important opportunities to create more inclusivity, such as the need for awareness of different learning styles during the recruitment and interviewing process and day-to-day work. By embracing diversity of thought, companies gain a competitive advantage.
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E405 – Current & Critical – Doug Hayden, Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Construction
In this episode, see how innovative companies like Arthroto are transforming underutilized commercial spaces into thriving residential communities with President, CSO and Founder Doug Hayden. With a pressing housing crisis looming across Canada, addressing this need is crucial to sustainable, long-term success. By bringing together the housing industry and technology, the business community can navigate the financial impacts of office space devaluation while contributing to a stronger city.
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E404 – Current & Critical – Keara Gillis and Sarah Mateshaytis, How to Build Resilience in your Start-up Culture
In this episode, take a stop at the important intersection of mental health and entrepreneurship with Co-Founders of Collectively Tangled - Keara Gillis and Sarah Mateshaytis. They emphasize the need for a culture shift to prioritize mental wellness in the startup ecosystem. They offer tangible solutions and support services for founders and their teams online and in person. In the winter of 2023, Collectively Tangled was accepted into Innovate Calgary’s Research to Social Innovation Incubator, which is designed to support innovators in developing, validating, and scaling social impact.
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E403 – Current & Critical – Caroline Berglund, Psychological Safety: The Key to Authentic Leadership
In this episode, enjoy a compelling exploration of the human aspects of effective leadership and team development in today's dynamic workplace with Caroline Berglund, Principal at Talk Talk. She emphasizes the vital importance of psychological safety, kindness, and shifting from ego-driven to purpose-driven leadership in creating healthy, high-performing teams and sustainable company cultures.
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E402 – Follow the Money – Sandi Gilbert, The Rise of Venture Capital in Alberta
In this episode, unpack the investment ecosystem in Alberta with the Founder & CEO of DealPoint Capital and CEO of Intergen, Sandi Gilbert. As a self-professed, passionate ecosystem advocate, Sandi explains how Intergen and DealPoint Capital match entrepreneurs and business leaders while providing the support to build and scale businesses. Her balanced approach highlights the benefits and drawbacks of both seeking capital investment and scaling without external funding. She explains the competition and collaboration of the venture capital market in Alberta, and the increase in corporate VC activity. If you want a no-nonsense look at the VC landscape in Alberta, this episode is a must-listen.
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E401 – Current & Critical – Jenn Lofgren, The Five Distractions of a Leadership Team - What You Don't Know is Holding You Back
In this episode, hear from Jenn Lofgren, Managing Partner and Executive Leadership Coach at Incito Executive & Leadership Development. She unravels the intricate world of leadership, sharing valuable insights and practical strategies. Jenn highlights the Five Distractions of a Team and how these hinder the ability to go from siloed to unified, especially when humans get caught up in the drama. From transitioning from an individual contributor role to leadership to navigating the uncertain economic landscape of Alberta, this episode is filled with thought-provoking ideas and actionable takeaways.
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E400 – Current & Critical – Jay McNeil, How to Balance Innovation & Tradition with the Calgary Stampeders
You don’t have to go long to enjoy our 400th episode with Jay McNeil, Vice-President of Business Operations for the Calgary Stampeders (and former Stamp himself)! Whether you’re a fan of the CFL or work in the sports industry, this episode will give you an insider’s look at the challenges and future of the Stampeders and sports. Jay highlights changing fan behaviours, including a 35% decrease in season ticket holders since 2015. To combat this shift, Jay and his team are finding new ways to engage existing fans through pre- and post-game activities and also attract the next generation of Stamps fans. The Stampeders also help make Calgary a better city by focusing on community and social responsibility. Players will exceed 250 appearances in partnership with more than 50 charitable organizations. Jay explains the strategies this team is experimenting with, and they might inspire your next strategic session!
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E399 – Current & Critical – Käthe Lemon, Calgary's Media Landscape: Exploring the Dynamics of Media, Business and Community
In this episode, get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Alberta’s most successful and storied media companies, RedPoint Media, with President and Co-Owner Käthe Lemon. From the history of Top 40 Under 40 and Avenue Magazine to the shifting media landscape that is evolving from print to social connections, Käthe helps you understand the important role of media in supporting small and local businesses. Whether you get your news from an old-fashioned paper or on an app, RedPoint Media demonstrates how to diversify media authentically and endure in changing and challenging times.
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