Snippets with Leon Goren

It’s easier to see the solution when you’re advising someone else. But what happens when you’re the one who has to make the difficult decision?

In this episode of the Snippets, Leon Goren speaks with Rikka Bouseh, President of Envol Strategies, about the challenges of leading your own team while helping other organizations navigate their people challenges.

Rikka shares what she learned about aligning team capabilities with business growth, having difficult conversations with empathy, and investing in professional development. She also explains why HR works best when it’s brought in proactively, before challenges become costly problems.

Her advice to leaders? Don’t wait for things to become a problem before reaching out for help.

Thank you to Doane Grant Thornton for helping bring you this episode.

Learn more about the PEO Leadership community at peo-leadership.com.

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren sits down with Craig McLellan, CEO of ThinkOn, to discuss what it takes to build a company that lasts through multiple technology cycles.

Craig reflects on one of the most difficult transitions leaders face: evolving from founder to CEO. He shares lessons learned scaling a business from a close-knit startup culture to a high-performing organization, why the people who help you reach one stage may not be the people who take you to the next, and how leaders can navigate those decisions thoughtfully.

The conversation also explores why leaders should approach AI with discipline rather than hype, how organizations can drive meaningful adoption, and what Canadian business leaders should be thinking about when it comes to sovereignty, innovation, and long-term competitiveness.

Listen in for a candid conversation on leadership, resilience, and the realities of building a lasting organization.

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren sits down with John Preiditsch, Managing Partner at Six S Partners, to discuss what it takes to successfully lead business transformation in a rapidly changing environment.

Drawing on nearly four decades of experience working with growing mid-market companies, John shares why transformation initiatives often fall short of expectations and why leadership, communication, and change management matter just as much as the technology itself. He explains why organizations should focus on outcomes rather than implementation timelines, and why creating a clear vision for employees is critical when introducing new systems and processes.

The conversation also explores the growing role of AI in business, including why trusted data and consistent processes remain the foundation for getting meaningful value from new technologies. John offers practical perspectives on leadership, organizational readiness, and the importance of investing in people throughout periods of change.

Listen in for a thoughtful discussion on business transformation, leadership, and preparing organizations to take advantage of the opportunities created by AI.

In this Snippets episode, Leon speaks with Meghan Sherwin, President of Keilhauer, about how the workplace has evolved in the years following the pandemic and what leaders are still learning about culture, collaboration, and employee connection.

Drawing on her background in strategy and advertising, Meghan reflects on her transition into a family-owned manufacturing business and how creativity, curiosity, and innovation have shaped her leadership approach. She also shares how Keilhauer navigated the disruption of COVID, adapted to changing workplace expectations, and rethought the role of office environments in a hybrid world.

The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, flexibility, and designing spaces that support collaboration and meaningful connection. Meghan also discusses how shifting employee expectations are influencing workplace design and why organizations are continuing to rethink how people gather, work, and create together.

Listen in for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, workplace culture, and designing environments where people can do their best work.

In this Snippets episode, Leon chats with David Yeaman, Founder and President of Molded Precision Components (MPC), about building a manufacturing business rooted in innovation, culture, and community.

David reflects on growing MPC from a three-person startup into a company with more than 100 employees across two facilities, while creating meaningful, high-paying work in Oro-Medonte, a rural community north of Barrie. A major part of that mission has been giving people the opportunity to work closer to home, spend more time with their families, and avoid the long daily commute into Toronto.

The conversation explores talent development, reshoring opportunities, advanced manufacturing, and the company’s rapid pandemic pivot to produce millions of face shields and other medical products. David also shares the leadership philosophy that has shaped MPC’s growth, including the importance of putting people first and building a culture where employees can thrive both professionally and personally.

Listen in for a thoughtful conversation on entrepreneurship, resilience, and creating a business that has a lasting impact on both people and community.

In this Snippets episode, Leon speaks with Josiah Shelley, CEO and Co-Founder of ForwardPath AI, about how organizations can move from AI curiosity to practical implementation and measurable results.

Josiah shares insights from working with hundreds of businesses across industries, highlighting the most common challenges leaders face when adopting AI, including over-reliance on AI committees, lack of hands-on experimentation, and uncertainty around where to begin.

He emphasizes that successful adoption starts with leadership engagement, encouraging executives to actively use the tools themselves before scaling across their organizations. From Copilot and Claude to custom-built agents, Josiah discusses how real value comes from understanding and applying these tools in day-to-day workflows.

The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping workforce strategy, from automation and efficiency gains to new opportunities for upskilling, revenue generation, and rethinking organizational structure.

Tune in for practical advice on moving past the hype and building AI strategies that actually work in practice.

In this Snippets episode, Leon speaks with PJ Ferguson, President and Founder of ABL Employment, about how hiring strategies are shifting in response to ongoing economic uncertainty.

Drawing on her experience in the staffing industry, PJ shares what she is seeing across sectors, from pent-up demand in distribution and customer service to ongoing pressure in entry-level talent pools. She reflects on how companies are balancing caution with growth, and how flexible staffing models are helping them stay responsive.

She also discusses common hiring pitfalls, including the tendency to narrow requirements based on past hires, and explains why focusing on attitude, drive, and complementary strengths leads to stronger teams.

Listen in for a conversation on adapting to a changing workforce, rethinking what defines the right fit, and building teams that support long term growth.

In this Snippets episode, Leon speaks with James White, President and CEO of Wellmaster, about leading a second-generation manufacturing business through growth and change. James reflects on the company’s evolution into a global supplier across multiple industries.

He shares how the business balances diversification with operational focus, using shared resources and materials across sectors to stay efficient and competitive. He tells us how Wellmaster approaches disruption, from shifting trade dynamics to rising input costs, and how those challenges have created opportunities for growth and innovation.

James also speaks to the company’s culture, including its long-standing profit-sharing model, and how it drives accountability, creativity, and problem-solving across the organization.

Listen in for a conversation on maintaining a business that evolves through disruption and promotes entrepreneurial thinking at all levels of the company.

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren speaks with Dave Jones, President and CEO of Bento Sushi, about the evolution of one of Canada’s most recognizable food brands. Dave reflects on Bento’s growth from a single storefront in Toronto to a North American leader, with operations spanning retail, franchise, and large-scale manufacturing.

Dave shares how the business has adapted over time, including the shift from in-store preparation to a growing delivery and manufacturing model, and what it takes to scale in a highly competitive market. He speaks candidly about the importance of protecting the core business, staying close to customers, and avoiding complacency as organizations scale. Drawing on firsthand experience, he highlights how even successful companies can be caught off guard when focus shifts too heavily toward growth. 

Tune in for a grounded conversation on maintaining a resilient business in a competitive market. 

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren speaks with Ryan Casey, Founder of Skapa Tech, about building practical, results-driven technology solutions. Ryan outlines how Skapa Tech supports enterprises and startups through custom software development, AI consulting, and a focused SaaS product that improves accuracy and efficiency in the construction and utilities sector.

Using real client examples, Ryan discusses how leaders can pilot new initiatives, test feasibility, and gain clearer insight into ROI before making significant investments. The conversation also addresses growing concerns about AI and white-collar work, offering a grounded perspective on how technology can enhance performance while leadership judgment and strategic decision-making remain central.

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on innovation, risk, and leading through rapid technological change.

Special thanks to National Bank for bringing you today's podcast.