Behind the Growth

In this Behind the Growth episode, Mudassar Malik chats with Larry Baziw, exploring the intersection of eSIM technology and the telecom industry. They dive into how eSIMs are shaping the future, offering insights into the technology's flexibility and impact on consumer experiences. Drawing from his unique blend of interests in technology and music, and an early career in medical engineering, Larry highlights creativity and innovation as key drivers of success in the fast-evolving telecom landscape.

As the conversation transitions to the significance of customer-centric approaches in telecom,   Larry emphasizes how technological advancements can enhance service and operational efficiency. He advocates for the unification of eSIM profiles in both consumer and business IoT, envisioning that this blend will lead to a truly universal SIM experience that will free consumers from being bound to specific hardware. 

On the future evolution of telecom, Baziw sheds light on what will lead to a comprehensive, trustworthy environment for identity and subscription management across devices, while also advocating for traditional safeguarding measures to ensure the security of customer identity and prevent malpractice. He also stresses upon the necessity of adaptability and focusing on user needs, predicting how these factors will define the telecom industry's trajectory.

Indicating optimism in the concurrent innovation and security measures that are likely to move the eSIM landscape forward, Larry and Mudassar emphasize a need for the telecommunications industry to evolve its architecture to shift towards modern technologies like the eSIM – an evolution that requires a unification of the perspectives of both infrastructure and the subscriber experience.

Key Highlights 

- eSIM technology revolutionizes telecom, enhancing flexibility for users  
- Breaking OSS and BSS barriers is crucial for eSIM architecture evolution 
- Unify eSIM profiles in consumer and business IoT for a universal SIM experience 
- The future of telecom hinges on adaptability and focusing on user needs 
- eSIMs enable secure and convenient cross-device management of personal identification and subscription services 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian welcomes Sedef Akinli Kocak, the Director of Professional Development at the Vector Institute, which has played a pivotal role in advancing Canada as a hub for innovation in the global AI landscape. As Sedef reflects on her journey from academia to leading professional development in AI, their conversation highlights the Vector Institute's mission for excellence in AI research and development, emphasizing the bridge between technological advancement and industry application. 

Sedef discusses the importance of sustainability in software systems and how AI can contribute to addressing the global climate crisis. Her work focuses on developing models to predict software systems' energy consumption, showcasing the intersection of machine learning and sustainability. 

The conversation unveils insights into the Vector Institute's collaborative efforts both within Canada and globally. Sedef outlines the institute's partnerships across industries, aiming to foster economic growth, benefit the planet, and protect human interests while developing AI systems that remain robust, secure, and safe throughout their lifecycles. This episode sheds light on the transformative power of AI in sustainability and beyond, showcasing its potential for creating a positive impact. 

Key Highlights: 

- Sustainability spans five dimensions: environmental, social, economic, technical, and institutional.
- AI is useful for forecasting environmental changes, disaster response, and urban planning.
- Training AI models consumes considerable power, creating a rebound effect that needs addressing.
- Research is ongoing to assess and optimize energy consumption by different AI systems.
- Organizations must follow guidelines when developing AI systems, like ensuring benefits for humans and the planet, reflecting democratic values, and maintaining robust and secure systems.
- To get started in AI, it’s critical to understand the environment, learn the terminology, and bring your unique perspective to the table.

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this insightful episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik engages with Nelson De Jesus, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at CIBC. They dive into Nelson's unexpected journey into the banking and IT sector, revealing the serendipitous encounters and choices that shaped his career. Nelson shares his philosophy on leadership, emphasizing the importance of vision, work ethic, collaboration, and the ability to seek improvement, both professionally and personally constantly. 

Nelson discusses the transformative impact of AI and generative technologies in banking, drawing parallels and distinctions with past tech trends like blockchain and crypto. He provides a nuanced perspective on the adoption of these technologies, highlighting their potential to revolutionize the financial industry while acknowledging the challenges of integrating AI into traditional banking systems. 

The conversation then shifts to experiential banking and the future of digital transformation within the sector. Nelson explores the evolution of banking services, the role of smart branches, and the necessity for banks to adapt to changing customer expectations in the digital age. He underscores the continuous pursuit of innovation and the strategic importance of maintaining stability and trust in the rapidly evolving financial landscape. 

Key Highlights: 

- Vision, work ethic, collaboration, and commitment are cornerstones of effective leadership.
- Tailoring digital experience to the client is a process. You can’t begin at 100% right away.  
- There’s optimism in AI's capabilities, especially in improving predictions and generating content.
- Banks must adapt to consumer expectations with more personalized and efficient services. 
- For open banking to thrive, there needs to be a much higher participation rate. 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian dives into the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence with Yannick Lallement, the Chief AI Officer at Scotiabank. They reflect on the transformative journey of AI, particularly since the emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022, highlighting how AI has shifted from a buzzword to a crucial force reshaping business and everyday life.

Yannick shares his unique insights, shaped by a career that began with a fascination for Isaac Asimov's robot novels and culminated in his current role at Scotiabank. He discusses the intricate task of identifying suitable AI use cases for the bank and the complexities involved in leveraging AI for practical applications. The conversation provides an in-depth look at the current state of AI and its integration into various industries. 

The discussion also explores the future of AI, emphasizing the increasing integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) in tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot. Yannick highlights the importance of understanding AI's capabilities and limitations, stressing that while AI can augment human productivity significantly, it's not suited for tasks requiring broader context or planning. The episode concludes with Yannick's advice for staying informed about AI advancements, suggesting engagement with resources like ChatGPT and other GPT models to understand their practical applications. 

Key Highlights 
- Tools don’t replace people; people with tools replace people without tools 
- AI use cases in BFSIs depend on value, feasability, and risk and mitigations  
- The key to having an LLM produce good results is to start with good source data 
- LLMs are good for text-based tasks like summarizing, but not at planning. 
- To begin with LLMs, understand the jargon, their utility, and their limitations. 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian engages with Vince Gasparro, a leading figure in sustainable finance, to dissect the intertwining worlds of the financial industry, government, and environmental sustainability. The conversation opens with Vince's professional journey, highlighting his influential roles and deep-rooted commitment to climate action. 

As the dialogue delves deeper, Vince shares insights on the urgent climate crisis, emphasizing the power of collective action. He underscores the vital role of innovation and public-private partnerships in combating environmental challenges, pointing to his own experiences and global conferences like COP26 and COP27 as evidence of progress and opportunity. 

The episode wraps up with practical advice for businesses navigating the shift to sustainability, focusing on energy-efficient practices and investments. Vince's optimism and expertise shine through, offering listeners a blend of strategic foresight and actionable steps toward a more sustainable future. 

Key Highlights: 
- Climate change challenges are solvable with collective efforts 
- Achieving net zero emissions will balance carbon, not reduce it to zero  
- Climate tech will play an important role in offering alternatives to fossil fuels 
- It’s easier to fund green initiatives versus the traditional energy sector 
- Businesses can reduce their footprint and save money with building retrofits

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this inspiring episode of Behind the Growth, we celebrate Lisa Sutherland, Senior Director of Emerging Markets at Rogers Communication. More than a leader, Lisa is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and shares invaluable insights with our host, Mudassar Malik.

The episode starts with Lisa recounting her professional journey at Rogers Communication, where she has been transforming business requirements into tech solutions, bringing diversity of thought, and enabling the right experience for internal and external customers.

The core of the conversation revolves around the importance of women in technology. Lisa delves into the distinct hurdles faced by women and reflects on the pioneering roles of women in tech, highlighting their early stronghold in computer programming and the inspiring tale of the women who made their mark at NASA in the 1960s. Furthermore, Lisa underscores the importance of diversity in tech development, citing instances such as Apple's oversight of its health app and the design of crash test dummies. 

As the episode draws to a close, Lisa emphasizes the crucial role of mentorship in career progression. She advocates for seeking mentors who offer a variety of perspectives and stresses the need for women to stand up for themselves. Lisa's empowering message encourages young women to stay engaged, lean into challenges, and utilize their talents and creativity to effect positive change in the world. The episode concludes with Lisa extending an invitation for mentorship and envisioning a more inclusive future for the tech industry. 

Key Highlights 
- Diversity & inclusivity help avoid unconscious bias 
- Without leadership support, the shift will not happen  
- We need more role models & peer mentorships 
- The best mentorships push you out of your comfort zone 
- Take the lead if you want to change the world around you 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Ryan Chong, Senior Director of Digital Service and Support at Rogers Communications. From the evolution of self-service to its future, the conversation uncovers great insights about the customer experience landscape. 

As the discussion unfolds, Ryan emphasizes the pivotal role of digital self-service in not only reducing operational costs and elevating customer experience, but also being a key differentiator. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as Ryan delves into the impact of generative AI on customer interactions, personalization, and speed of innovation. He also addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by voice assistants and emphasizes the importance of rethinking experiences for these platforms. 

Finally, Ryan emphasizes the importance of saving your customers time—the most valuable commodity to customers—by offering a streamlined approach that caters to individual preferences. Purposeful innovation and technologies like generative AI can unlock the full potential of the digital self-serve experience, and the insights uncovered in this episode will help you open up new opportunities to serve customers better. 

Key Takeaways:  
- Self-serve not only helps reduce OpEx, but is also a key business differentiator 
- Voice assistance needs reinventing to cater to the complexities of customer interactions 
- Gen-AI is a gamechanger; increasing the speed of innovation and helping scale quickly 
- Tech and how you leverage it will determine the future of your self-serve experience 
- Time is the most valuable commodity you can give back to your customer

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian engages in an insightful discussion with Ujjwal Goel, Senior Director at Loblaw Companies Limited. Their conversation delves into the crucial role of data strategy within the realm of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Ujjwal underscores the critical importance of a robust data strategy for organizations aiming to harness the full potential of AI and emphasizes that this strategy should seamlessly align with business objectives, forming the bedrock upon which AI and ML initiatives are constructed. The conversation then shifts into the intricacies of data architecture, highlighting the evolution of data warehousing to data lakes and the emerging trend of combining both in a lake house concept.

Finally, the podcast delves into the evolution from centralization to decentralization in data management, advocating for a hub-and-spoke model that balances centralized governance with decentralized execution. Ujjwal also addresses the ethical dimensions of AI, underscoring the pressing need for organizations to cultivate responsible AI practices. As AI continues to reshape industries, this episode offers invaluable insights for senior executives and professionals seeking to effectively integrate data and AI strategies into their organizations.

Key Takeaways 
- The evolution of data management has accelerated AI adoption. 
- Aligning your data strategy with your business goals is crucial. 
- Implementing ethical frameworks in AI adoption is integral to a company’s strategy. 
- AI adoption may impact jobs but promises a brighter future for everyone. 
- Embracing AI now is essential for growth and scalability. 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In the latest episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik is joined by Luca Maraschi, Co-Founder and CEO of Platformatic. Luca shares his rich career journey, from working in various roles in different industries, including gaming and tech, to founding and exiting various companies. 

Luca discusses the importance of different perspectives, emphasizing how working with large customers across various verticals has been a significant source of inspiration for him. He highlights his belief that working with great people and drawing inspiration from them is essential in building successful startups. 

The conversation shifts to the inception of Platformatic, inspired by recurring challenges across various contexts. Luca discusses the dual costs of decision-making and building foundational pieces, setting the stage for a deeper dive into back-end development and scalability. 

Finally, Luca and Mudassar explore 5G's role in enabling intelligent components. Luca talks about 'people scalability' and network scalability, before discussing AI's practical applications behind-the-scenes on Platformatic. The episode wraps up with Luca's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, underscoring product evolution, problem empathy, and the value of seeking industry guidance.

Key Takeaways: 

- Simplifying repetitive tasks enhances creativity. 
- Off-the-shelf products work for a short term, but long-term investments require customization and creativity. 
- Instead of just building a product, focus on creating a robust platform that delivers value. 
- Build platforms that can adapt and grow with the needs of the users. 
- Seek connections with CEOs and industry leaders—they have walked your path before. 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, join Mudassar Malik as he sits down with Managing Director of ASG and Simplii Financial, Jimmy Dinh. Jimmy describes his university days as a computer engineer during the transformative dot-com boom, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities he encountered at the start of his career. He was inspired not only by the technology itself, but also by the business of technology and the entrepreneurial spirit he encountered while working in Silicon Valley.

The conversation shifts to innovation, emphasizing the need for execution rather than treating it as theater. The essence of innovation, whether incremental or disruptive, always aims to improve lives. Jimmy emphasizes that it's crucial to recognize that success doesn't happen overnight; it often follows numerous failed attempts and iterations. The discussion then turns to AI, which Jimmy sees as an emerging platform for innovation across industries, including finance. Once again simplicity is important; it’s crucial now to separate what is true AI innovation and what is noise.

Finally, Jimmy offers advice to his younger self, advocating for taking more calculated risks, gaining exposure across various industries, aligning oneself with growth and learning, and working in environments that promote change. He stresses the importance of finding inspiring   mentors, presenting these elements as key ingredients for success.

Key Takeaways: 
- Avoid innovation as theatre; the real value lies in its execution 
- Whether incremental or disruptive, innovation should always better lives 
- Success doesn’t happen overnight; it takes several failed iterations to get there 
- AI is the next innovation platform for all industries, including financial 
- It’s easier to complicate things than keeping it simple 

Visit mlarteka.com/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.