Think With ABD

2020 is an exciting year for Internet Satellite companies. There were roughly 200 Internet satellites in low-earth orbit (LEO) seeking to offer Internet access to wider consumers and enterprises in 2019, and the number grew to 700 satellites. Globally, Morgan Stanley estimates that satellite internet providers could be generating over $500 billion in revenue by 2040. Our featured guest is Christian Keil, the Chief of Staff at Astranis, a geostationary communications satellite company with a vision of building the next generation of internet satellites. It is a timely conversation as it touches on the ever evolving technology scene and how it’s becoming more democratized thanks to the next generation of startups.

To many people’s surprise, Christian was never technical. With a business degree and used to work as a management consultant, Christian Keil paved his way in tech by applying for a supply chain operations manager’s role at Astranis, but unfortunately got rejected for lack of relevant experience. Christian did not just walk away from a company that is aligned with where he wants to be in a long-term. In this first edition of “Unstoppable Millennials”, Christian shares how he started a company but walked away from his investors, and eventually became the chief of staff in his dream company (after being rejected). To Christian, he thinks many of us who have a Silicon Valley dream but might not necessarily end up in the valley, but being a “Silicon Valley Outsider”, he shared his learnings constantly through self-reflection and weekly newsletters. 

We are seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic and while we are beginning to understand the disease and its behavior much better, we are still far from a resolution and the “old normal”. Across the globe, over 100 institutions are working on a vaccine, and over 170 countries are collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a vaccine plan. The production and distribution of the vaccines will be slow to begin, and this plan proposes that those considered “highest risk” should be prioritized.

In this podcast, we are speaking with James Hughes, Assistant Professor and Researcher at St. Francis Xavier University, who proposes that a distribution strategy for the vaccine is a programming problem. A programming problem would suggest that to optimize the effects of the limited supply of vaccines, the program should consist of rules which prioritize those who have the highest opportunity to spread the disease. So, what are the key ethical considerations before we rush for a cure?

We are seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic and while we are beginning to understand the disease and its behavior much better, we are still far from a resolution and the “old normal”. Across the globe, over 100 institutions are working on a vaccine, and over 170 countries are collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a vaccine plan. The production and distribution of the vaccines will be slow to begin, and this plan proposes that those considered “highest risk” should be prioritized.

In this podcast, we are speaking with James Hughes, Assistant Professor and Researcher at St. Francis Xavier University, who proposes that a distribution strategy for the vaccine is a programming problem. A programming problem would suggest that to optimize the effects of the limited supply of vaccines, the program should consist of rules which prioritize those who have the highest opportunity to spread the disease. So, what are the key ethical considerations before we rush for a cure?

As with many other industries, we see the adoption of innovative data-science technology to tackle social issues. Research has shown that 10% of homeless populations are visible in Canada, while the remaining 90% are hidden. Interestingly, about 94% of homeless people actually own a mobile phone in North America, and about 77% own a smartphone.

In this podcast, Sarah Sun, ABD’s Head of Research & Content, is speaking with CG Chen. Ms. Chen is the founder and CEO of Ample Labs, a non-profit empowering those of us facing homelessness using technology. In this podcast, Ms. Chen offers some insight into how AI technology, more specifically a chatbot named Chalmers, was used to find social services like free meals, shelter, clothing banks and more in the GTA regions, all in real-time on desktop and mobile.

Also, be sure to check out an interactive infographic that we put up to reflect the homeless problem in Canada.

As with many other industries, we see the adoption of innovative data-science technology to tackle social issues. Research has shown that 10% of homeless populations are visible in Canada, while the remaining 90% are hidden. Interestingly, about 94% of homeless people actually own a mobile phone in North America, and about 77% own a smartphone.

In this podcast, Sarah Sun, ABD’s Head of Research & Content, is speaking with CG Chen. Ms. Chen is the founder and CEO of Ample Labs, a non-profit empowering those of us facing homelessness using technology. In this podcast, Ms. Chen offers some insight into how AI technology, more specifically a chatbot named Chalmers, was used to find social services like free meals, shelter, clothing banks and more in the GTA regions, all in real-time on desktop and mobile.

Also, be sure to check out an interactive infographic that we put up to reflect the homeless problem in Canada.

While 2020 has brought a number of challenges to people all over the world, one of the most anticipated events of this year is the US election. Politicians have been under the watchful eye of the public in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and are continually evaluated in their ability to protect their people while maintaining economic performance. In the US, Democratic and Republican candidates are fighting harder than ever to win electoral votes and claim their seat in the White House.

As with many other industries, the elections process is moving in a data-driven direction. In this podcast, Sarah Sun, ABD’s Head of Research & Content, is speaking with Peter Tanner. Mr. Tanner was one of the founding members of former President Obama’s data science team in 2011 - one of the first political organizations to use data to influence voter engagement. In this podcast, Mr. Tanner offers some insight into how data was used to analyze voter preferences and to streamline targeting efforts to voters on the fence.

While 2020 has brought a number of challenges to people all over the world, one of the most anticipated events of this year is the US election. Politicians have been under the watchful eye of the public in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and are continually evaluated in their ability to protect their people while maintaining economic performance. In the US, Democratic and Republican candidates are fighting harder than ever to win electoral votes and claim their seat in the White House.

As with many other industries, the elections process is moving in a data-driven direction. In this podcast, Sarah Sun, ABD’s Head of Research & Content, is speaking with Peter Tanner. Mr. Tanner was one of the founding members of former President Obama’s data science team in 2011 - one of the first political organizations to use data to influence voter engagement. In this podcast, Mr. Tanner offers some insight into how data was used to analyze voter preferences and to streamline targeting efforts to voters on the fence.

In periods of uncertainty, we might wish we had the magic of strategists who come into a room and solve problems like we heard from classic business stories. But, can anyone be a strategist? With that question, we interviewed Jennifer Riel, Global Director of Strategy from IDEO, the world famous design-thinking institute that popularized “design-thinking”.  Jennifer is also a co-author of a book: Creating Greater Choices: A Leader’s Guide to Integrative thinking - with Roger Martin, the dean of Rotman Business School.

In this episode, from Jennifer’s very first encounter with “integrative thinking” to the story of LEGO movies, Jennifer helps us understand how successful leaders deconstruct the world’s most complex problems and deliver impactful strategies in driving growth. Jennifer explained the common mistakes made by leaders and how design-thinking can help someone make strategic decisions for any organization. She also reminds us of the importance of testing and how we all can use a rather scientific technique to exercise our creative muscles and broaden our choice sets, which essentially help us win.

In periods of uncertainty, we might wish we had the magic of strategists who come into a room and solve problems like we heard from classic business stories. But, can anyone be a strategist? With that question, we interviewed Jennifer Riel, Global Director of Strategy from IDEO, the world famous design-thinking institute that popularized “design-thinking”.  Jennifer is also a co-author of a book: Creating Greater Choices: A Leader’s Guide to Integrative thinking - with Roger Martin, the dean of Rotman Business School.

In this episode, from Jennifer’s very first encounter with “integrative thinking” to the story of LEGO movies, Jennifer helps us understand how successful leaders deconstruct the world’s most complex problems and deliver impactful strategies in driving growth. Jennifer explained the common mistakes made by leaders and how design-thinking can help someone make strategic decisions for any organization. She also reminds us of the importance of testing and how we all can use a rather scientific technique to exercise our creative muscles and broaden our choice sets, which essentially help us win.

Cultural fit - what does that actually mean? Are the values in your organization actually reflective of how work is done, the way employees are engaged, or the way leadership communicates? Cultural fit within an organization is so much more than a series of slogans - in order to perform at its highest level, it must begin with building and maintaining an amazing team culture. 

A Toronto start-up called “TalentFit AI” has managed to tackle this topic, and all powered through academic research and AI. Mitch Gudgeon, CEO & Founder of “TalentFit AI” has managed to combine his experience as a professional athlete, a passion for organizational fit, and his education to create an offering to help companies and job seekers meet their match. In this episode, Mitch covers the challenges organizations face, the prospects of job seekers out there, and a message of hope for those impacted by COVID-19.