Founded in 1948, Mitch Insurance has been a family-owned business for 74 years and is now run by the founder’s grandson, Adam Mitchell, who took the reins of what was once a small two-person operation and grew it into one of the top brokerages in Canada five years running. Mitch’s mission is to make insurance lovable by tapping into new technologies and securing the best coverage the market has to offer, while remaining true to its heritage by providing customers with outstanding service and advice.

In this podcast, Colliers’ Jamieson Jackson speaks with Mitch Insurance CEO, Adam Mitchell. They talk about Mitch Insurance’s story, including how Adam got involved in the family business and his subsequent journey; Mitch’s phenomenal growth and its point of difference in the industry; how the pandemic has affected the company and its staffing; how real estate drives business; and what the future holds.

Hear all about:

● Mitch Insurance’s growth and unique way of serving customers

● The firm’s unique online presence right from the beginning and its commitment to using technology to deliver better service and strengthen its brand

● How having 70+ insurance partners provides better opportunities for its customers and is a game-changer in the business

● How the pandemic caused a reshuffle and change in how Mitch sets out to be the best place to work and attract the best teammates

● How it is that Mitch has a wait list for its open positions

Listen to get valuable insights on the industry and Mitch Insurance’s thriving work culture, and learn how Mitch sets itself apart in the industry while remaining true to its original philosophy of providing outstanding customer service.

In this episode of Colliers Talks’ Tech to Watch Series, Jamieson Jackson and ThinkOn Founder and CEO Craig McLellan discuss the evolution of infrastructure as a service and how companies can use their data to their advantage. Craig also explains how Lego blocks influenced the creation of the infrastructure as a service company ThinkOn.

At its core, ThinkOn is a large group of technologists who are trying to solve problems – and that’s exactly what Craig was trying to do when he founded ThinkOn in 2013. As a former Chief Technology Officer, Craig launched ThinkOn with the realization that, as infrastructure as a service continued to gain popularity, there was a significant gap in the market for channel-friendly products developed for the reseller community and channel partners.

Infrastructure as a service allows the consumer to focus on what they need today instead of trying to forecast what their needs might be in the future, and then add on as needed. Not only does ThinkOn provide an economic advantage to its clients, but it also provides the flexibility of consumption, meaning clients can size for their needs today and as their consumption grows, upgrade to a larger threshold without having to reinvent their existing infrastructure.

“If we could build very consistent Lego blocks, whether it be eight or ten different services that would snap together and allow our resellers and our subscribers to build solutions that solve their problems, delivering outcomes that work for them, then there was a better chance that our services would get traction,” says Craig.

When first launching its services, ThinkOn faced an interesting challenge: consumers wanted to see the end result, similar to when you purchase a Lego set and see illustrations of the finished product displayed on the box. To meet consumer needs, ThinkOn had to shift its business model to present the outcome and solution that were possible because of its services versus the makeup of those services.

ThinkOn has stayed true to its origin story of the Lego block thesis; all of its services fit together to create an economical, buildable outcome that makes sense for the end user and their bottom line. Comparing ThinkOn to Lego, Craig does note that “some people can build very sophisticated things with Lego... we like to build easy-to-understand things with our Lego blocks, which can be used to solve problems and ultimately empower the customer.”

Catering to businesses that are looking for data protection solutions, have an understanding of the severe impact that ransomware and malware could have on their business, and are aware of the need for disaster recovery management, ThinkOn is a one-stop-shop for an organization’s data protection needs with a unique approach to customer relationship management.

As a channel-based organization, ThinkOn works with channel partners to provide its solutions to partner consumers. This approach allows the channel partner to own the relationship with the end consumer while enabling ThinkOn to piece its services together, ensure each piece ‘snaps’ together, and verify the services required are both available and priced appropriately for the client.

When asked about the future of ThinkOn and the infrastructure as a service industry, Craig notes that the annualized growth rate for data is 24% per year. This provides a significant tailwind for ThinkOn and reaffirms the need for companies like ThinkOn as more organizations wake up to the benefits of conducting long-tail analytics to forecast future business needs, begin to rely on datasets for decision-making, and need to perform analytics on-demand. As organizations become more technologically savvy, they are realizing that there is more to data than just the fiduciary duty they may have; there may also be a business case to retain data for longer periods of time.

As for the future of the office, Craig envisions an increase in smaller, regional offices where people can come together, collaborate, and work on the business, and then go away, work remotely, and work in the business, also known as asynchronous management.

While all companies and types of data require a different approach and varied levels of protection, one thing is for certain – infrastructure as a service, and ThinkOn’s Lego block approach, is here to stay.

As one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gas and one of the largest contributors to our growing landfill capacity problem, food waste is a global issue; with many countries on the verge of running out of landfill space in the next 10 years, action needs to be taken to combat and manage food waste.

In this episode of Colliers Talks’ Tech Watch Series, Jamieson Jackson and Bradley Crepeau discuss the growing issue of food waste, how FoodCycler has disrupted the food waste management space and whether food waste is the next hot topic in tech and sustainability.

FoodCycler was born out of a simple idea: at the time of its inception, less than 5% of food waste in North America was being recycled and Bradley thought that there must be a better way to divert food waste from the landfill. While it was originally a commercial endeavour, catering to hospitals, hotels, casinos and restaurants, FoodCycler now provides an accessible option to manage and reduce food waste for all consumer types across 20 countries.

With the push of a button, your food waste is turned into fertilizer and reduced to 90% of its original size and volume – coined as the yuck to yum transformation. Using advanced technology, FoodCycler provides a white-glove, full-circle solution that is environmentally friendly, easy to use for the everyday consumer, and economically viable because it allows businesses and consumers alike to eliminate a large portion of costs related to the recycling process and contribute to their respective sustainability goals – making it a true win-win-win.

“I think technology will play a huge part in how we combat this food waste problem,” says Bradley. “Food waste is everywhere; it’s not something that’s going away, and we think that if we can offer solutions that are easy to use, we have the greatest chance at seeing higher adoption of food waste recycling.”

Bradley and Jamieson go on to discuss how important it is to attract and retain top talent when developing a business in a newer industry. And, while office space and food waste management may seem like distant concepts, Bradley firmly believes that to foster the collaboration and creativity required to be successful in this niche industry, a great office space is required where people are excited to work and collaborate.

While food waste management is a large, global issue and will require action across all fronts, FoodCycler proves that tech and sustainability go hand-in-hand and that food waste management can be an accessible, a la carte option as technology continues to advance and be applied to innovative business models.

Ironclad Developments was founded in April 2014 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Ryan Van Damme, with the core values of integrity, honesty, and industry excellence. A cradle-to-grave developer that develops apartments with a luxury tilt, Ironclad has presence in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. It shines for its amenity-rich buildings and premium locations.

In this podcast, Colliers’ Warren Wilkinson and Karl Zeni speak with Ironclad’s CEO, Craig Gilpin and Director of Development, David Marsh. They talk about Ironclad’s story and impressive growth; the Ironclad team’s critical relationships with the neighbourhoods where they build; how Ironclad has fared during the pandemic; the company’s take on the Canadian housing crisis; its predictions for the future of multifamily development; and more.

Hear all about:

• The pressure and advantages that Ironclad’s rapid growth brought to the team and what it all means for the firm’s operations
• The challenges and rewards of developing in different provinces, how different municipalities handle development, and what they could learn from one another
• Ironclad’s take on the state of Canadian housing issues and the changes progressive zoning could bring
• How the supply of multifamily land was affected by the pandemic
• How demographics affect multifamily development markets and Ironclad’s decisions

Listen to get valuable market and sector insights across provinces and learn about how Ironclad sets itself apart from other developers while remaining true to its “people-first organization” philosophy.

“What a time to tout the Toronto region.”

In this episode of Colliers Talks, Colliers’ Matthew Johnson speaks with Toronto Global’s Matt Switzer about the reasons Toronto – and Canada – are the place to do business. With a mandate to “attract and support global companies to expand and do business in the Toronto Region,” government agency Toronto Global works with a full range of firms, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, helping them to not only perform their due diligence, but to fully understand the opportunities that lie in locating – and growing – in the Toronto market.

The Greater Toronto Area has a slew of advantages to offer the business community, including its booming tech sector, the top talent that emerges from its renowned universities and colleges, its stable economic climate, and its reputation as a safe city. These strengths, among many others, continue to fuel Toronto’s rapid growth and incite companies and people to call the city home.

With the mindset that “We’re Team Canada first and a win for a city is a win for everyone,” Matthew and Matt discuss the key benefits of setting up shop in Canada, from its progressive immigration policy, to its innovative A.I. strategy, to its global skills program that brings to the country “the best and brightest from around the world in a two- to three-week timeline.” While each Canadian city has a distinct offering and identity, according to Matt, as a country, we should “Pound the table, highlight what’s so good about us, give us a little bit of flare and swagger… and keep on keepin’ on, so that Toronto and Canada as a whole become synonymous with ‘greatness’, ‘forward-thinking’ and ‘international.’”

Tune in and get these insights, and more.

Taking a closer look at this year's Black History Month theme: February is Forever, Emeka Mayes, Muriel Thompson, and Brian Rosen discuss progressive ways to support our Black professionals beyond the month of February. Emeka and Muriel speak about their personal and professional journeys, how seeking mentorship doesn't have to be one-sided, intentionality in relation to Black History Month, and the importance of creating a level playing field in the commercial real estate industry -- and beyond. 

Emeka and Muriel, senior leaders at Colliers, both grew up as visible minorities, and during this open and honest conversation, they share valuable insights on overcoming obstacles and succeeding in their respective careers. "Part of the problem is creating an even playing field," Emeka says. She goes on to say that with companies increasingly implementing initiatives like ESG programs and DEI programs, she believes the commercial real estate industry will feel the impact and a more diverse workforce will emerge.  

The commercial real estate industry has historically been not centred around DEI; therefore, when it comes to increasing representation within the profession, while progress has been made, there is more work that needs to be done. Our speakers touch on creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce by demonstrating to the next generation how multifaceted commercial real estate is, conveying the many opportunities that exist within the industry – across a myriad of disciplines – and expanding our diversity and inclusion outreach and initiatives. 

In addition to recognizing the need to improve diversity from a talent acquisition perspective, Muriel notes the importance of supporting and retaining diverse employees within the company, and continuously "looking at every part of the employee life cycle through a D&I lens." 

When discussing the changes that are needed to ensure our Black professionals feel supported and celebrated all year round, both Emeka and Muriel agree that every month needs to be treated like Black History Month. By listening to our professionals, highlighting their achievements, and actioning their feedback, we can take further steps in creating a more inclusive environment. 

Colliers’ Dominic Delapenha and Europro’s Jesse Nathanson have a lively conversation about Europro (its beginnings, strategy and vision); Europro’s acquisition of the iconic Madison Centre; the booming North Yonge Corridor; as well as the Toronto office market, now and in the future.

Listen and get insights on:

• How Europro grew from the two-person team of co-founders Josef Jakubovic and Moshe Faust to a company of 100+ employees with an asset portfolio spanning 11 cities and covering five million square feet
• Why the North Yonge Corridor is thriving and will just keep on flourishing
• The “sizzle and sauce” behind Madison Centre
• Europro and Colliers partnering to lease Madison Centre
• The activity within and outlook for the Toronto office market, as well the much-talked-about return to the office

Alberta has long been the energy capital of Canada, but the city has also always had a small, yet mighty, technology ecosystem. Over the past several years, investment in and support of Calgary’s tech sector have grown exponentially, allowing firms that have historically had to relocate to other major markets in order to raise capital, to scale and grow right in Calgary. In 2020, a record-setting $455 million in venture capital was raised to support Alberta’s technology sector, nearly double the previous record set in 2019. A healthy technology ecosystem typically represents about 5% of the overall economy; currently, that number is about 3% in Calgary. The good news is, the city is on a great path and has a lot of room to run.  

Colliers’ Justin Mayerchak speaks with Dr. Breanne Everett, President & CEO of Orpyx Medical Technologies and Terry Rock, CEO of Platform Calgary about how technology firms are impacting Calgary’s commercial real estate landscape. 

In the words of Daniel Holmes, Greater Toronto Area Executive Managing Director and Market Leader with Colliers Canada: “In the commercial real estate sector, technology is rapidly evolving as professionals focus on revolutionizing the current landscape. Our industry is primed for disruption, yet information is not always as accessible as we'd like. There have been major steps in embracing technology solutions, yet there is a major disconnect between interest and adoption. As the saying goes, technology transformation is a journey, not a purchase.”

In this episode of Colliers Talks, Dan speaks with two prominent experts at the forefront of tech disruption: Shelby Austin, CEO and co-founder of Arteria AI, a startup that is well on its way in creating a client-service offering for drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts, and Dean Hopkins, COO of Oxford Properties Group, a leading commercial real estate investor, asset manager and builder of business teams that currently manages nearly $70 billion of assets across four continents.

Tune in as Dan, Dean and Shelby talk about the undeniable – and growing – role and impact of technology within CRE, covering topics from the accelerated digital transformation, to change management and successful implementation, to the war on tech talent.

“When you look at life sciences today, it’s a game that’s won and lost on talent,” says Ty J. Shattuck, CEO of McMaster Innovation Park (MIP), Canada’s Premiere Research Park. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, MIP currently has 700,000 square feet of space under management and is set to expand to a staggering 3.2 million square feet.

Matthew Johnson, Senior Vice President with Colliers in Toronto and lead of Colliers Canada’s Life Sciences Practice Group, and Richard Shouldice, Senior Sales Representative with Colliers in Toronto, speak with Ty about the life sciences sector – its current state, growth trajectory and game-changing future.

They discuss:

• Canada’s challenge with transitioning its innovative research into commercial reality, and thus, McMaster Innovation Park’s mission and vision of helping companies grow by facilitating collaboration between academia and industry

• How MIP helps address the gap in the life sciences space continuum

• The role of attracting, securing and developing talent in the growth of life sciences

• How COVID-19 has brought to the forefront MIP’s goals and value proposition, and the industry as a whole

• Fostering the growth of life sciences on Canadian soil and the advantages of setting up operations in Canada

• MIP’s role in developing Ontario’s life sciences corridor and how a collaborative mindset can make Canada a global life sciences player

• Opportunities for landlords within the sector

• What’s next for MP and life sciences

And more.

Tune in and learn about an industry that while, according to Ty, is “not for the faint of heart,” is literally saving lives.