BIV Today

B.C. is known for having perhaps the most diversified economy among all the province, stretching from energy and lumber exports to its high-growth tech and entertainment sectors. Ken Peacock, chief economist at the Business Council of B.C., joins BIV Today for a deep dive on what’s driving exports in the province and strategies ahead for boosting growth. Tyler Orton hosts. 

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Among the sweeping changes brought on by the pandemic was the wave of businesses that had little choice but to go digital, whether it meant launching online sales for the first time or figuring out how to operate remotely. A new report from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) dives into the implications for the businesses that conquer this digital divide vs. those that are keeping things analogue. Pierre Cleroux, chief economist of the BDC, joins BIV Today to discuss the report. Tyler Orton hosts.

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Lynn Mueller, the CEO of SHARC Energy, discusses his firm’s technology that draws energy from wastewater. He is in conversation with Kirk LaPointe, BIV publisher and editor in chief.

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With the pandemic upending workplaces across the globe, business leaders are facing an unprecedented era when it comes to collaborating with employees remotely while cultivating a great corporate culture. Mike Watson and Ali Grovue of Vancouver’s Ignite Management Services are the authors of Rise Up, a new book out this week that delves into the habits leaders must adopt to be effective. They join BIV Today to talk about bridging the gaps that exist between leaders and workers. Tyler Orton hosts. 

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Influencers – those social media elites with large followings who help big brands connect with consumers – have taken on a whole new importance amid the pandemic after many folks found themselves at home much of the time, checking their iPhones rather than shopping at stores. Last week we saw Vancouver-based Later.com acquired after its new parent company Mavrck, known for specializing in the online influencer space, raised more than US$250 million over the past few months. Victoria’s own Justin Tse, CEO of Feature Media, has amassed more than 750,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel for his takes on technology. He joins BIV Today for a deep dive on how the industry works. Tyler Orton hosts. 

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Jean Charest, former party leader and former Quebec premier, acknowledges he’s the underdog in the Conservative leadership campaign. But he’s comfortable in his skin as he tours the country seeking support. He is in conversation with BIV publisher and editor-in-chief Kirk LaPointe.

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Canada and its neighbour to the south have had some bumps in the road in recent years when it comes to trade relations. Everything from steel tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration to U.S. President Joe Biden’s “Buy American” push have left many businesses concerned. And on Canada’s part, trucker blockades at the border haven’t helped much either. The fact is, though, is that Canada is a relatively small market on a global scale but it has the benefit of living right next door to the world’s largest market. So what does this mean for Canadian companies looking to expand globally? Nathan Donohue, U.S. Commercial Service Attaché to Canada, joins BIV Today to fill us in on the country’s biggest trading partner. Tyler Orton hosts. 

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Many folks might have some anxiety about automation and whether their own jobs could become redundant as technology takes over many more of roles in the workplace, be it bookkeeping or manufacturing. But are those worries really justified? Are robots really coming for our jobs? Jim Stanford is a labour economist and director at the Centre for Future Work. His new report – Where are the Robots? – looks at how Canada actually needs to accelerate its adoption of technology in order to produce better, higher-paying jobs. He joins BIV’s Tyler Orton for a discussion on whether fears over robots are overblown.

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John Bromley, CEO of the donor-advised fund Charitable Impact that recently surpassed the $1 billion mark in funds, discusses the decline in Canadian giving and how donors are responding to opportunities to better manage their funds. He is in conversation with BIV publisher and editor-in-chief Kirk LaPointe.

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Megan Conway, the CEO and President of Volunteer Canada, talks about the opportunities for business and policy to support volunteerism. This is National Volunteer Week. She is in conversation with BIV publisher and editor in chief Kirk LaPointe.

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