Collisions YYC

Jim was the very first guest on this podcast. So, it’s only fitting that he’s the first guest for our three-month partnership series with SAIT’s Corporate Training. As Chief Catalyst at SAIT, Jim is bridging the gap between two sides of our digital transformation. On one side is new talent that’s innovating for the future. On the other are established organizations that need support in re-training and up-skilling of their workforces. His goal? To create a streamlined network that will create new opportunities, transform existing jobs and get everyone on the same page. Join me as Jim talks about SAIT’s goal to transform education into an ecosystem of opportunities that will keep new talent here in Alberta and help retrain our workers for the future to come.

As it continues to grow stronger, plenty of exciting technologies have been coming out of Calgary’s start-up community. While start-up founders certainly have the skills to design and develop their latest innovations, many are at a loss when it comes to growing their business. Enter Carey Houston and 321 Growth Academy, a Calgary-based consultancy that teaches founders how to sell and market their products and build and manage their teams. Join me as Carey shares what 321 Growth Academy does, her thoughts on Calgary’s start-up community and why we need to introduce entrepreneurship as a career to the next generation.

There are plenty of new, innovative businesses and organizations popping up in our province that are well poised to become Albertan success stories. For Hilton, having a long-term strategy and valuable product or service is one thing, but having a strong culture is something much more powerful; something that can either make or break our chances at success. Join me as Hilton shares his views on the importance of culture and why success will remain out of reach for the organizations that lack it.

From AI to machine learning to cryptocurrencies, supply chains, robotics and renewable energies, we’ve covered many topics on this podcast. But for my co-conspirator Kevin Crowe, we still need to discuss the one thing that ties all of these areas together; what he believes is the key to Alberta’s digital transformation – The Internet of Things (IoT). As Co-Chair of the Alberta IoT Centre of Excellence, Kevin and his team are on a mission to make our province the global hub for IoT technology. Join me for a spirited conversation with Kevin as he walks us through the concept of IoT and why we are well poised to be a global leader in this new technological space

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is a mentality that keeps a lot of business stuck in their ways rather than keeping up with the times. But for Jeremy and Adrienne, it’s not always a case of stubborn business leaders. Some are simply unaware that the technology they’ve been using for years is holding them back in this modern age. That’s where Xerris comes in, a Calgary-based digital solutions service that helps companies break down technical barriers and re-imagine their business for the digital-first consumer. Join me as Jeremy and Adrienne take us through Xerris and their rapid growth, remote-first mindset, and how they empower their clients to start thinking differently.

Good Earth Coffeehouse is yet another Alberta success story that's been serving up fresh coffee for 30 years. So, what's their secret? Is it having the right beans for the right price? For Wendy, it's all about having the right balance of marketing and brand experience; one that, in Good Earth Coffeehouse’s case, makes customers feel like they've been transported to an Italian café. Join me as Wendy talks about her role at Good Earth Coffeehouse, the importance of brand experiences and how this Albertan success story is looking to the future while maintaining their social responsibility and environmental values.

With everything from corporate centers and industrial manufacturers to some of Calgary’s finest shops and restaurants, Victoria Park is one of the most diverse areas in our city. Once COVID-19 confined us to our homes last year, things in Victoria Park got a little quiet. But for David, it was business as usual in looking towards the future and making big plans for this Calgary gem. Join me as David tells all about what makes Victoria Park so special, how they helped businesses navigate through COVID-19, and why this diverse area will help drive our economy by bringing our city together.

Our start-up community is full of innovators who are transforming industries and creating new opportunities for our province. While some look to innovate in new industries, Jill used her passion for the environment and technology to transform transportation in our oil & gas and energy sectors. The result – Drift Technological Solutions Ltd. and its flagship product DriftTech Mobile, a digital platform that eliminates inefficiencies by delivering in the moment field information to enable reporting and analytics with ease. Join me as Jill takes us through Drift Technological Solutions Ltd., her experiences in Calgary’s start-up community, and shares her words of wisdom to entrepreneurs who want to get their start-ups off the ground.

Gabe is the CEO and Portfolio Manager at Vela Software, an operating group of Constellation Software that acquires, manages and builds industry-specific software businesses around the world. While Vela Software brings expertise to a wide scope of industries, Gabe’s focus is on the ones that built our province – oil, gas, and energy. So, who better to talk to about the innovative businesses that are shaking things up and looking for capital in Alberta? Join me as Gabe talks about Vela Software and Constellation Software, how he determines which companies are ideal for acquisition, and how Alberta's innovative businesses fit inside that framework.

After working through an economic downturn, a global pandemic, and transformations of our largest industries, Alberta businesses have been getting knocked down for quite some time now. While some have a hard time getting back up, Colleen believes it’s the businesses that can roll with the punches that live to fight another day. As a Partner with Deloitte Canada, Colleen champions resiliency and adaptability in business with forward-thinking consultancy that helps her clients be ready for what's to come, be it good, bad, or downright ugly. 

Join me as Colleen takes us through her first year with Deloitte Canada and the importance of building resilient and adaptable organizations that can manage the curveballs that our changing world throws our way.