Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Digital assets are no longer a niche experiment. They are reshaping institutional finance. Today, we explore how enterprises can structure portfolios, manage risk, and harness tokenized markets for sustainable growth.

Joining us is Ash Tahbazian, Head of Business Development, North America at 3iQ Digital Asset Management. A CFA and CPA with over twenty years in custody and institutional finance, Ash bridges traditional investment frameworks with emerging blockchain platforms for North American asset allocators.

Key Highlights

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

For more expert insights, visit https://canadiansme.ca/ and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine.

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

Disclaimer:

This recording and related materials (the "Materials") are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice, or any recommendation, solicitation, or offer. They do not consider individual objectives or needs; seek independent advice before acting. Distribution may be restricted by law, and viewers must comply with applicable laws.

Participants' views, including clients', are their own, are not endorsements, and may not reflect 3iQ's views or other clients' experiences; results vary. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Information is current as of recording and subject to change without notice; 3iQ does not warrant its accuracy, including third-party content, or undertake to update it.

Cryptocurrencies and digital assets are speculative and highly volatile; risks include total capital loss. Materials are provided "as is," and 3iQ disclaims all liability, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for loss from reliance on them.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. AI promises faster decisions, but trust remains the biggest challenge for businesses adopting intelligent systems. Today, we explore how explainable AI is transforming finance, accounting, and HR operations with transparency and control.

Joining us is Manav Thiara, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Platforms at Sage. Leading Sage’s AI, data, and platform engineering efforts, Manav is building the future of trusted AI experiences that help millions of small and mid-sized businesses operate smarter.

Key Highlights

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

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

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

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. Great strategies don’t fail because of ideas—they fail when execution breaks down. Today, we explore how organizations can turn complex challenges into aligned decisions, measurable action, and lasting transformation.

Joining us is James Hunter, Director at Level5 Strategy. A Consulting Magazine Rising Star in Strategy & Transformation, James helps organizations across energy, healthcare, and regulated industries align leadership teams and build strategies that create real impact.

Key Highlights

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

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

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

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 Bari. Today, we explore SaaS scaling, enterprise value creation, and leadership strategies for high-growth technology companies.

Joining us is Karim Ben-Jaafar, Coach at Athena Strategic Coaching, sharing insights on exits, global growth, revenue strategy, and executive leadership.

Key Highlights

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

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

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

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. As businesses embrace AI and cloud platforms, the biggest challenge is not adoption—it’s maintaining control, security, and trust. Today, we explore how organizations can simplify Microsoft 365 management and prepare for an AI-driven future.

Joining us is Benjamin Niaulin, VP of Product at ShareGate. A globally recognized Microsoft 365 expert, Benjamin leads product innovation at ShareGate, helping over 100,000 IT professionals manage migrations, governance, and secure digital environments.

Key Highlights

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

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

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

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. The strongest organizations are built on human connection, not just strategies and systems. Today, we explore how intentional leadership, mentorship, and trust-driven cultures create lasting business impact.

Joining us is Ian Chisholm, Co-Founder and Partner at Roy Group and author of Quiet Champions. From rural Saskatchewan to leading organizations globally, Ian shares insights on leadership practices, human potential, and building stronger connections in complex workplaces.

Key Highlights

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

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

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

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. As businesses grow, scattered HR systems can quietly create compliance risks, payroll errors, and operational bottlenecks. Today, we explore how Canadian companies can simplify workforce management through smarter HR technology.

Joining us is Ugo Roik, Senior Account Executive at Folks HR. With deep expertise in human capital technology and software strategy, Ugo helps Canadian organizations replace fragmented HR platforms with unified, compliant solutions built for modern workplaces.

Folks is a bilingual Canadian HR platform that brings recruiting, employee records, performance management and payroll into one simple system for growing SMBs.

Key Highlights:

1) HR Technology Choices: Avoiding common mistakes when selecting workforce management platforms.

2) Scaling Challenges: How fragmented tools impact businesses growing beyond 50 employees.

3) Adoption Barriers: Why HR systems fail and how organizations can improve usage.

4) Data Protection: The importance of domestic hosting for sensitive employee records.

5) HR Efficiency Audits: Practical steps to improve payroll and workforce operations.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

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

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

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 explore data center cooling, AI-ready infrastructure, and the engineering behind mission-critical digital systems.

• Thermal Performance: How cooling impacts data center reliability, efficiency, and costs. 

• AI Infrastructure: Adapting cooling systems for high-density AI workloads. 

• Solution Selection: Matching cooling technologies to specific data center needs. 

• Sustainability Outcomes: Achieving measurable energy savings through advanced solutions.

 • Early Integration: Why cooling decisions must begin during the design phase.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Advertising is no longer reserved for brands with massive budgets. Today, we explore how AI-powered tools are helping Canadian SMBs reach audiences, simplify campaigns, and compete in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Joining us is Uri Gorodzinsky, Managing Director for Amazon Ads Canada and Mexico. With over two decades of experience across Procter & Gamble and Amazon, Uri helps brands leverage AI-driven advertising solutions to connect with customers across shopping, streaming, and digital platforms.

Key Highlights

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

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

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

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 Bari. Great business ideas can come from anywhere, but opportunity is not always equally accessible. Today, we explore how rural entrepreneurs are turning local ideas into real ventures through innovation, mentorship, and community support.

Joining us is Andrew Button, Founder and CEO of Mashup Lab. With over 15 years of rural economic development experience, Andrew has built a virtual incubator supporting thousands of entrepreneurs across hundreds of rural communities.

Key Highlights

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

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

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at https://smbfoundation.ca/.

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.