CanadianSME Small Business Podcast

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how secure connectivity is becoming the backbone of modern digital infrastructure across industries. Joining us is Philippe DE OLIVEIRA, Senior Vice President at IDEMIA Secure Transactions. With decades of expertise, Philippe shares how mobility, IoT, and cryptography are shaping a secure, connected future. Key Highlights Automotive Cybersecurity: Philippe explains how vehicles are being secured in the era of software defined mobility. eSIM and IoT Scale: Philippe shares how eSIM enables global device management without physical limitations. Post Quantum Security: Philippe...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how neurodiversity is shifting from a conversation about inclusion to a strategy for performance and innovation. Joining us is Karina Gaudier, Founder and CEO of Autism Workforce Solutions. Karina shares how businesses can unlock untapped talent by redesigning how teams are built and supported. Key Highlights Awareness vs Action: Karina explains why inclusion efforts often fail in practice. Workplace Design: Karina shares what effective environments look like for performance. Business Advantage: Karina highlights how neurodiversity drives innovation and productivity. Economic...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore why ERP decisions often fail and how businesses can avoid costly mistakes by focusing on process over features. Joining us is Jaikishan Prithiani, Founder of Cyberlobe Technologies. JP shares how a vendor-neutral, process-first approach helps businesses choose the right systems with confidence. Key Highlights ERP Selection Mistakes: JP explains why businesses fall into demo-driven decisions. Hidden Costs: JP shares how licensing and implementation traps impact budgets. Vendor Neutral Advice: JP highlights why unbiased guidance leads to better outcomes. Process First...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how businesses can turn CRM and AI investments into real revenue outcomes. Joining us is Rob Manne, Founder of Inflectiv. Rob shares how aligning technology with human strategy helps companies accelerate growth and close deals faster. Key Highlights CRM as a Revenue Engine: Rob explains how to transform CRM into a growth driver. AI in Sales: Rob highlights where AI is improving B2B revenue performance. Human Centric Strategy: Rob shares why human connection still wins in AI-driven markets. Avoiding...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how real estate is evolving beyond smart devices into fully integrated operating systems that drive efficiency and growth. Joining us is Demetrios Barnes, CEO at 1VALET. Demetrios shares how unified platforms are transforming multifamily operations and redefining property management. Key Highlights Solving Fragmentation: Demetrios explains how 1VALET unifies disconnected proptech systems. Leadership Transition: Demetrios shares insights behind the strategic shift in leadership. Smart Building OS: Demetrios highlights what a true operating system means for property owners. Scaling Lessons: Demetrios discusses...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how enterprise-level technology is becoming accessible to everyday entrepreneurs through practical AI and digital tools. Joining us is Maria Garcia de la Corte, Partner and Business Development Director at Inside View Global. Maria shares how global experience and community building can drive scalable, inclusive growth. Key Highlights Global Growth Perspective: Maria explains how international experience shapes stronger business communities. Digital Transformation Myths: Maria shares what SMEs misunderstand about adopting enterprise tech. Ecosystem Building: Maria highlights how events and communities support...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how communication, marketing, and visibility are evolving in an AI driven world where discovery is no longer just about search. Joining us is Eva Tang, Head of Marketing at Missive. Eva shares how SMBs can stay efficient, visible, and competitive by rethinking how they work and grow. Key Highlights Modern Team Communication: Eva explains how collaboration is shifting beyond traditional email workflows. AI Driven Visibility: Eva shares how businesses must adapt to being discovered through AI systems. AI in Marketing...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how businesses can move beyond AI experimentation to build connected systems that truly enhance customer experience. Joining us is Mitch Lieberman, VP of Product, Fuel iX at TELUS Digital. Mitch shares how aligning AI, data, and strategy helps brands win critical moments in the customer journey. Key Highlights AI and Customer Journey: Mitch explains how AI is reshaping key customer interactions. Fuel iX Platform: Mitch shares how orchestration turns AI tools into unified systems. AI for SMEs: Mitch highlights how...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how building the right network and mindset can shape the future of entrepreneurship. Joining us is Philip Bliss, Founder and CEO of Canada’s Entrepreneur. Philip shares how strategic thinking, community, and execution frameworks drive real business growth. Key Highlights Scaling Mindset: Philip explains what separates founders who grow from those who stall. Stop Think Focus Execute: Philip shares why clarity and focus are critical for success. AI for Growth: Philip highlights how entrepreneurs can use AI strategically. Power of Co...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore why rising cybersecurity investments are not translating into stronger protection and what businesses must do differently. Joining us is Ivo Wiens, Field Chief Technology Officer for Cybersecurity at CDW Canada. Ivo shares how organizations can close the gap between spending and real security outcomes. Key Highlights Rising Threats: Ivo explains the key drivers behind increasing cyberattacks. AI in Cybercrime: Ivo highlights how AI is making threats more advanced and scalable. Maturity Gap: Ivo shares the critical gaps limiting effective cybersecurity. ...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how operational discipline and supply chain clarity are becoming the real drivers of sustainable growth. Joining us is Parth Davé, Founder and CEO of NexaFlux Inc. Parth shares how businesses can move from reactive chaos to structured, predictable operations. Key Highlights Scaling Signals: Parth explains how to identify when systems can no longer support growth. Cost of Poor Coordination: Parth highlights how inefficiencies silently erode margins. From Chaos to Control: Parth shares how to build predictable operating rhythms. Supply Chain G...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how local economies are evolving and why strong community connections are becoming the foundation of business growth. Joining us is Karisa Marra, Head of Sales and Business Expert at Square Canada. Karisa shares how businesses can adapt to changing consumer behavior by focusing on relationships, value, and seamless experiences. Key Highlights Neighbourhood Growth: Karisa explains how local networks fuel economic resilience. Value Over Volume: Karisa shares how businesses can win with intentional spending habits. The Regular Effect: Karisa highlights why...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how physical retail spaces can become powerful drivers of customer experience and business growth. Joining us is Ani Nersessian, Founder and Creative Director of VM ID Inc. Ani shares how thoughtful visual merchandising can transform stores into high-performing environments. Key Highlights Power of Store Design: Ani explains how retail spaces directly influence customer behavior. Common Mistakes: Ani shares quick fixes for visual merchandising errors. Budget Optimization: Ani highlights how to improve stores with limited resources. Choosing Support: Ani explains how...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how businesses can move from talking about AI to actually embedding it into daily operations for real impact. Joining us is Bradley Collins, Founder of Elevates Coaching and creator of EAIOS. Bradley shares how aligning people, systems, and strategy turns AI into a true growth engine. Key Highlights Beyond Tools: Bradley explains why building an AI system matters more than using isolated tools. Human Barrier: Bradley highlights why mindset and team adoption are the biggest challenges. EAIOS Framework: Bradley shares...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how AI is shifting from experimentation to execution and becoming a core part of everyday business operations. Joining us is Žilvinas Girėnas, Head of Product at nexos.ai. With deep expertise in NLP and agentic workflows, Žilvinas shares how lean teams can unlock real productivity using AI. Key Highlights Immediate AI Value: Žilvinas explains how SMEs can start using AI without large teams or budgets. AI as a Multiplier: Žilvinas shares why AI empowers generalists to perform at a highe...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how e-commerce is evolving beyond transactions into personalized experiences that truly connect with customers. Joining us is Connor Delaney, General Manager of Wayfair Canada. Connor shares how large scale retail can still deliver meaningful, tailored experiences while supporting Canadian businesses. Key Highlights Canadian Market Insights: Connor explains how customer behavior in Canada is evolving. Wayfair Rewards Launch: Connor shares how loyalty programs strengthen long term customer value. Opportunities for SMEs: Connor highlights how Canadian businesses can grow through Wayfair’s pl...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how insurance is evolving from a standalone product into a seamless, embedded experience within everyday customer journeys. Joining us is Derek Szeto, co-founder and CEO of Walnut Insurance. A seasoned entrepreneur, Derek shares how embedded insurance is transforming how businesses deliver value and build trust at scale. Key Highlights Understanding Embedded Insurance: Derek explains how insurance is integrated directly into products and services. Why Brands Offer Insurance: Derek shares why companies are adding protection as part of their customer experience. ...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how healthcare technology companies are scaling globally through innovation, automation, and strategic growth. Joining us is Dan Matlow, President and CEO of VitalHub. With decades of experience, Dan shares how building operational intelligence has helped transform healthcare delivery at scale. Key Highlights Building the Vision: Dan explains how VitalHub evolved into a high growth global platform. Innovation Advantage: Dan shares how the Sri Lanka lab drives efficiency and product development. M&A Strategy: Dan highlights how acquisitions fuel expansion and...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore what it really takes to scale a retail business in a highly regulated environment while maintaining profitability and operational control. Joining us is Chris Jones, Founder and CEO of CANNABIS XPRESS. Chris shares how disciplined systems, data, and strategic thinking can turn a complex industry into a scalable growth engine. Key Highlights Scaling Pitfalls: Chris explains what typically breaks first when retail businesses grow too fast. Regulatory Strategy: Chris shares how to stay profitable across different provincial regulations. Data Driven...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how Calgary is emerging as a powerful tech hub driven by culture, community, and a willingness to embrace both growth and failure. Joining us is Jen Lussier, CEO of Platform Calgary. With decades of experience across industries, Jen shares what it truly takes to build and sustain a high impact innovation ecosystem. Key Highlights Calgary’s Tech Advantage: Jen explains the cultural and economic factors driving the city’s rapid tech growth. Facing Hard Truths: Jen highlights the real challenges foun...