Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we’re focusing on the critical areas of emerging technology, effective leadership, and the evolving media landscape. As technological innovation accelerates and media consumption continues to change, businesses must stay ahead of the curve to succeed.

Joining us today is Dr. Stephanie Gutnik, President of Tuxedo Concepts, a consulting firm specializing in marketing, media, and advertising technology. Dr. Gutnik is a global public speaker with deep expertise in business transformation and women in leadership. Today, we’ll discuss how businesses can navigate these challenges and drive success in today’s fast-paced environment. Let’s dive in!

Key Highlights:

The Art of Managing Upward: Dr. Gutnik will share a compelling story about negotiating a trip to Dubai to establish a business case for expansion, offering insights on how she influenced decision-makers despite initial skepticism.

Business Transformation and Women in Leadership: Dr. Gutnik will highlight how businesses can transform successfully and the importance of fostering women in leadership roles.

Keeping Up with Emerging Tech: Dr. Gutnik will discuss the challenges companies face in adopting emerging technologies and provide strategies for staying informed and effectively implementing new tech.

Media: Dr. Gutnik will explain how the evolving media landscape, especially in advertising technology and consumer behavior, affects businesses aiming to reach their target audiences effectively.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand, where we explore strategies that help entrepreneurs and business leaders thrive. Today, we're discussing the power of authentic storytelling, using LinkedIn for business growth, and building thought leadership to influence your audience. Recent trends emphasize the growing need for personal branding, networking, and authentic communication to drive success.

Joining us is Bobby Umar, a 5x TEDx speaker, keynote speaker, and founder of The Thought Leadership Branding Club. With his expertise in personal branding, Bobby helps professionals and entrepreneurs amplify their voices. Today, we'll talk about vulnerable storytelling for leaders, leveraging LinkedIn to land leads, and building influence in the digital world. Let’s dive in!

Key Highlights:

Vulnerable Storytelling for the Authentic Leader: Bobby will explain the importance of vulnerable storytelling for the authentic leader and how leaders can use their personal narratives to build trust, inspire their teams, and create a stronger connection with their audience.

Learning to Leverage (and Love!) LinkedIn to Land Leads: Bobby will share his top strategies for small business owners and entrepreneurs to effectively leverage LinkedIn to connect with potential clients, build their network, and generate valuable leads.

Build Thought Leadership and Create Influence in the Digital Landscape: Bobby will discuss how entrepreneurs and professionals can effectively build thought leadership and create influence in today's increasingly crowded digital landscape, with key strategies for standing out and making a meaningful impact.

Bobby Umar's Journey of Self-Discovery: Bobby will share his journey of self-discovery and how he learned to leverage his own narrative to create impact.

The Thought Leadership Branding Club (TLB Club): Bobby will talk about the purpose of TLB Club and the key benefits for its members.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html

UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA

Google: https://www.google.ca/

A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand, where we explore the cutting-edge technologies and strategies helping businesses thrive. Today, we’re diving into Artificial Intelligence and its impact on business operations, focusing on how AI can drive efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experience.

Joining us is Alon Talmor, CEO of Ask-AI, an AI-first platform that unifies tech stacks to streamline business operations. We’ll discuss how AI can improve ROI, enhance customer outcomes in B2B SaaS organizations, and explore the future of SaaS in today’s AI-driven landscape.

Key Highlights:

AI That Drives ROI: Alon will explain why most companies use AI wrong, and share the key to using AI to drive real ROI for businesses.

How AI Can Be Used to Drive Better Outcomes Across the Customer Experience in B2B SaaS Orgs: Alon will discuss how AI can effectively be used to drive better outcomes across the customer experience in B2B SaaS organizations, and the biggest misconceptions about AI in customer-facing teams.

The Future of SaaS: Alon will share his predictions for the future of SaaS and the role AI will play in shaping that future.
Alon's Founder Journey: Alon will talk about what inspired him to start Ask-AI and how his PhD in AI has shaped his approach to building this company.

Ask-AI's Partnership with Google: Alon will explain the collaboration between Ask-AI and Google, and its significance for the company and its users.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen, where we explore critical financial strategies for Canadian entrepreneurs. Today, we’re focusing on effective cash flow management, preparing for capital raises, and advocating for government support for small businesses. Recent statistics reveal that cash flow issues are a leading cause of business failures, making expert financial advice essential for achieving sustainable growth.

Joining us today is Daryl Ching, CFA, Founder & President of Vistance Accounting, a firm dedicated to helping small and mid-sized businesses across Canada. We’ll discuss why cash flow management is crucial, how to prepare for investor approaches, and how to hold the government accountable for its promises to small businesses. Let’s dive in!

Key Highlights:

1. 82% of Business Failures Are Due to Cash Flow Management: Daryl will explain the common reasons why small businesses struggle with cash flow and how Vistance Accounting fills the void in advisory services to prevent these failures.

2. Companies Are Often Unprepared When Approaching Investors for a Capital Raise or Selling Their Business: Daryl will discuss the best approach when contacting investors or the bank for financing and the key steps businesses should take to maximize their value in these critical discussions.

3. Holding the Liberal Government Accountable for Promises to Small Businesses: Daryl will share his perspective on the current status of government promises to small businesses and how we can collectively hold the government accountable for delivering on them.

4. Common Financial Blind Spots Among Small Business Owners: Daryl will highlight some of the most common financial blind spots he observes among small business owners and how these overlooked areas can impact long-term stability and growth.

5. Investing in Accounting Beyond Bookkeeping and Tax Services: Daryl will discuss when business owners should start contemplating investing in accounting services beyond basic bookkeeping and tax filings, and the benefits of a more strategic approach to financial management.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen, where we explore the strategies helping Canadian businesses thrive in today’s changing work landscape. Today, we’re discussing the transformative power of hybrid work solutions and how flexible workspaces are benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises across Canada.

Joining us is Terri Pozniak, Executive Vice President and Country Manager for International Workplace Group (IWG). She’ll share insights into the benefits of hybrid work policies, IWG’s growth in Canada since the pandemic, and why hybrid working is a smart business strategy for SMEs.

Key Highlights:

1. The Benefits of Hybrid Work Policies to Reduce Costs and Help SMEs Navigate Economic Pressures: Terri will explain how hybrid work policies help SMEs reduce costs and navigate economic pressures, and what are some of the key savings contributing to this impact on the bottom line.

2. International Workplace Group’s Growth in Canada Over the Past 5 Years: Terri will discuss how the pandemic impacted IWG's growth in Canada, leading to hybrid working becoming the default model, and the specific steps IWG has taken to meet the evolving demands of Canadian businesses.

3. Why Hybrid Working Is a Smart Business Strategy for SMEs: Terri will explain why hybrid working is a smart business strategy for small and medium-sized businesses, and how it contributes to increasing professionalism, productivity, and agility in a competitive market.

4. How Ricoh Helps SMBs Solve Challenges: Terri will share how IWG, through brands like Regus, Spaces, and HQ, is helping SMBs solve specific challenges, particularly in enabling effective collaboration between onsite and remote employees.

5. IWG's Expansion Plans for Canada: Terri will outline IWG’s expansion plans for Canada over the next two years to help more companies reduce overhead costs and cut reliance on long-term leases.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we’re discussing the transformative power of technology, the advantages of embracing remote work, and the strategic benefits of diversifying your business offerings. With AI and automation driving efficiency and remote work models gaining traction, businesses must evolve to meet market demands.

Joining us is Adam Mitchell, CEO of Mitch Insurance, an Ontario-based brokerage recognized as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies. We’ll explore how embracing AI, automation, and remote work has fueled Mitch Insurance’s growth and discuss how diversifying business offerings can drive future success.

Key Highlights:

1. The Importance of Embracing AI and Automation: Adam will explain why embracing AI and automation is essential for businesses, including those in relationship-driven sectors like insurance, and how Mitch Insurance has benefited from these technologies.

2. The Benefits of Remote Work for Companies and Their Teammates: Adam will discuss the advantages Mitch Insurance has seen since adopting remote work indefinitely, for both the company and its employees.

3. Diversifying Your Business by Adding New Products/Departments to Offer Consumers More Solutions and Accelerate Growth: Adam will explain how diversifying offerings through new products and departments has helped Mitch Insurance grow and provide more comprehensive solutions to consumers.

4. Mitch Insurance's Unique History: Adam will share key moments and the vision that has driven Mitch Insurance’s growth from a small operation to a leading brokerage.

5. The Future of Work at Mitch Insurance: Adam will discuss Mitch Insurance’s commitment to remote work, including downsizing its headquarters, and what this means for the future of company culture and operations.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand, where we explore the latest technological advancements and their impact on Canadian businesses. Today, we're diving into how Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing customer service.

Joining us is Chris Ellison, Group Vice President and General Manager for ServiceNow Canada, with over 22 years of experience in sales and leadership. Chris will discuss the rise of Agentic AI in customer service, how Canadian consumers’ expectations are evolving, and how businesses can tackle the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating AI solutions.

Key Highlights:

1. The New Era of Customer Service with Agentic AI: Chris will explain what Agentic AI is and how it differs from the rule-based chatbots of the past, and the practical benefits for businesses.
   
2. Emotional Context and Seamless Customer Service: Chris will discuss how Agentic AI understands emotional context and offers a more seamless and empathetic customer service experience, including its ability to hand off to human support when necessary.
   
3. Canadian Consumer Expectations and the Trust Gap in AI: Chris will share the key findings from the Consumer Voice Report, particularly regarding Canadian expectations for emotional cue recognition and current trust levels in AI voice assistants.
   
4. Bridging the Trust Gap in AI for Sensitive Interactions: Chris will discuss how companies can bridge the trust gap when implementing Agentic AI in customer service, especially for more sensitive interactions, given the significant majority of Canadians still prefer human support for emotionally charged issues.
   

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen, where we explore the strategies and technologies that empower small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive in today's turbulent markets. Today, we focus on inventory management and its critical role in helping businesses navigate challenges like rising tariffs and disrupted supply chains.

Joining us is Ben Hussey, Co-CEO of Katana, a cloud inventory management platform. We'll discuss how smart inventory management, data-driven forecasting, and technology can help SMBs optimize operations, maintain healthy cash flow, and meet evolving consumer demands. Let’s dive in!

Key Highlights:

1. Navigating Tariff Turbulence: Ben will discuss the current challenges regarding unit costs and how tariffs are contributing to market chaos for SMBs, based on Katana's data showing dramatic surges.

2. The Importance of Data-Driven Forecasting: Ben will explain how SMBs can leverage inventory management platforms to gain the data-driven insights needed to make crucial supply chain changes, optimize operations, and maintain healthy cash flow.

3. How Katana Has Supported Customers During Market Fluctuation: Ben will share how Katana, as an inventory management platform, has specifically supported its customers during times of market fluctuation.

4. Proactive Strategies for Turbulent Times: Ben will outline proactive strategies that Katana’s customers are implementing within their inventory management that are proving to be effective in navigating turbulent times and mitigating the impact of tariffs.

5. Katana's Holistic Optimization for SMBs and Future Growth: Ben will discuss how Katana helps SMBs holistically optimize their operations in the current climate and strategically prepare for future growth and success.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.