CanadianSME Small Business Podcast

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how modern HR is shifting from systems and processes to a deeper focus on people, culture, and wellbeing. Joining us is Muhammad Kermalli, CEO of Skailit. A recognized entrepreneur and advocate for workplace wellness, Muhammad shares how businesses can build stronger, more human-centered teams. Learn more at www.skailit.com or connect directly at 416-962-2600.  Key Highlights Modern HR Challenges: Muhammad explains why outsourcing and flexibility are reshaping workforce management. AI in the Workplace: Muhammad discusses how AI is c...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore why modern leadership is shifting from technical expertise to human centered skills like trust, clarity, and emotional steadiness. Joining us is Shilpa Bains, Founder of Leadership Intelligence Inc.. With over two decades of experience, Shilpa shares how leaders can align their intent with real impact through deeper self awareness. Key Highlights Evolving Leadership Demands: Shilpa explains why constant change is making leadership more complex. Intent to Impact Gap: Shilpa shares how misalignment between intent and action affects teams. Inner Intelligence...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK Uddin. Today, we explore how founders can close the gap between financial complexity and real business understanding. Joining us is Ray Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO of Profitual. Ray shares how founders can turn financial data into clear insights that drive smarter growth decisions. Key Highlights 1. Broken Financial Models: Ray explains why traditional modeling fails most founders. 2. Strategic Finance Thinking: Ray highlights the importance of focusing on key growth drivers. 3. AI in Finance: Ray shares why AI must be used...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how wholesale businesses are transitioning from manual processes to integrated digital systems that drive efficiency and growth. Joining us is Yaqub Hosseini from B2B Wave. Yaqub shares how distributors and manufacturers can modernize operations without disrupting their existing systems. Key Highlights Wholesale Bottlenecks: Yaqub explains the key inefficiencies slowing down traditional wholesale operations. Modernization Without Replacement: Yaqub shares how businesses can upgrade systems without starting from scratch. Evolving Buyer Expectations: Yaqub highlights the demand for self service and transparent...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore why digital transformation often falls short and how custom built systems are becoming the real driver of business growth. Joining us is Alexandre St Aubin, Partner and Account Executive at Thirdbridge. With a strong blend of technical expertise and business insight, Alexandre shares how tailored software and strategic thinking are reshaping how SMEs scale. Key Highlights Why Transformations Fail: Alexandre explains how off the shelf software limits growth and weakens competitive edge. Custom Software and AI:Alexandre shares how AI...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore why real business growth still comes down to human connection, clear messaging, and trust. Joining us is Monica Hoffman, Fractional Marketing Consultant. With over 20 years of experience, Monica shares how businesses can simplify marketing and build consistent, meaningful growth. Key Highlights Power of Brand Story: Monica explains how a clear story builds trust and drives engagement. Customer Journey Clarity: Monica highlights why understanding the full journey improves results. Strategic Marketing Gaps: Monica discusses risks of operating without clear direction. Fractional...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore the rise of operational intelligence and why reliable data systems are becoming a decisive advantage for modern businesses. In 2026, success belongs to companies that prioritize clarity, conviction, and dependable technology over hype. Joining us is Edoardo De Martin, Co Founder and CEO of Industrio AI. With nearly three decades of experience at Microsoft working on innovations like HoloLens and Xbox, Edoardo now leads the development of enterprise operational intelligence through Industrio’s platform, Signal. Key Highlights Building with Conviction: What bo...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how strong professional networks and cultural communities are becoming a powerful engine for economic growth in Canada. Joining us is Raquel Narvajas Rodriguez, CEO and Director of La Red de Hispanos. Raquel shares how building trusted communities is helping newcomers unlock real opportunities and long term success. Key Highlights 1. Building a Powerful Network: Raquel shares how La Red de Hispanos connects members to real career opportunities. 2. Inside IMPULSA 2026: Raquel explains what the event offers and who should...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how workplaces are evolving into integrated digital environments that combine technology, collaboration, and human creativity. Joining us are Meagan Moody, Country Manager at Ricoh Canada, and Ahmed Ameen, COO of ET Group. Together, they share how this strategic acquisition is redefining hybrid work and enterprise collaboration. Key Highlightshttp://www.ricoh-usa.com/ Strategic Vision: Meagan explains how ET Group strengthens Ricoh’s workplace transformation strategy. Scaling AV Solutions: Ahmed shares how integration enables broader deployment of hybrid workplace technologies. Secure Collaboration: Me...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how hidden misalignment within teams and structures quietly limits performance and growth. Joining us is Sonia Perron, Founder and President of SPCTE Inc. With over 30 years of experience, Sonia shares how aligning people, roles, and strategy unlocks measurable results. Key Highlights The Cost of Misalignment: Sonia explains how misalignment silently impacts productivity and decision making. Why Transformations Fail: Sonia highlights how unclear roles weaken execution and technology adoption. Understanding the Conative Mind: Sonia discusses how instinct driven behavior affects performance...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how businesses can move beyond guesswork and use customer data to drive smarter, more consistent growth. Joining us is Stephan Sigaud, CMO at Phase 5. With decades of experience in market research and customer strategy, Stephan shares how understanding the voice of the customer unlocks real business impact. Key Highlights SME Marketing Misconceptions: Stephan explains where businesses go wrong when targeting SME audiences. Affordable Market Research: Stephan shares how small businesses can use research without large budgets. Brand and CX Alignment...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how specialized banking solutions are evolving to support accountants and strengthen the broader business ecosystem. Joining us is Pouya Zangeneh, Senior Vice President of Business Banking at Scotiabank. Pouya shares how tailored financial tools and strategic support are helping accounting professionals operate more efficiently and create wider economic impact. Key Highlights 1. Accountant Banking Program: Pouya explains what makes this program uniquely designed for modern accounting firms. 2. Tax Season Support: Pouya shares how the program helps manage peak...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how global mobility is shaping Canada’s workforce and why attracting international talent is critical for economic growth. Joining us is Grant Sakinofsky, Director at Smooth Migration Global. With global experience and a deep understanding of relocation challenges, Grant shares how technology and strategy are simplifying international moves. Key Highlights Global Mobility Trends: Grant explains how migration patterns are evolving for modern professionals. Canada’s Competitive Edge: Grant highlights why Canada continues to attract top global talent. Solving Relocation Challenges: Gran...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how estate planning is evolving into a critical strategy for preserving wealth and ensuring a smooth transfer of assets. Joining us is Devon Miller, Vice President for Partnerships and Distribution at ClearEstate. With deep expertise in estate execution and planning, Devon shares how technology and empathy are reshaping this often overlooked area of financial management. Key Highlights Evolution of ClearEstate: Devon shares how the company has adapted to modern estate planning needs. Estate Planning Gaps: Devon explains the most common...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how data is revealing a growing divide in the financial health of Canadian small businesses. Joining us is Jeff Brown, Head of Commercial Solutions at Equifax Canada. With deep expertise in commercial credit data, Jeff shares insights from the latest Market Pulse report and what it signals for business stability. Key Highlights Credit Stress Misconceptions: Jeff explains what most people misunderstand about small business financial pressure today. Cash Flow Priorities: Jeff reveals what payment behavior between banks and suppliers says...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how building a strong financial operating system helps small businesses reduce complexity and focus on growth. Joining us is Faye Pang, Chief Growth Officer at FreshBooks. With experience scaling global platforms, Faye shares how integrated tools are helping SMBs gain control over their finances and operations. Key Highlights 1. Shift in SMB Challenges: Faye explains how demand and customer acquisition have become the biggest concerns. 2. From Chaos to System: Faye shares why integrated tools replace disconnected workflows and...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how direct selling continues to evolve as a powerful model built on trust, flexibility, and human connection. Joining us is Peter Maddox, President of the Direct Sellers Association of Canada. With deep insight into a network of over a million independent sellers, Peter shares how this industry is shaping modern entrepreneurship. Key Highlights The Modern Seller: Peter explains why more Canadians are turning to direct selling as a flexible business model. Accessible Entrepreneurship: Peter shares how the model supports income...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how programmatic advertising is evolving into a precision driven engine powered by data and smarter platforms. Joining us are Vince Simone from Yahoo Canada and Lyle Wagner, Co founder and CEO of Datadesk. Together, they bring deep expertise on how data and technology are reshaping digital marketing strategies. Key Highlights The Programmatic Shift: Vince explains how DSPs are evolving and the key challenges brands face today.   From Data to Action: Lyle shares what makes data truly usable and impactful f...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how AI is evolving from simple automation into systems that understand human context, tone, and intent. Joining us is Charlie D’Elia, Co Founder of Fermion AI Group. With a strong foundation in franchise systems and operational alignment, Charlie shares how emotionally aware AI is shaping the next generation of business tools. Key Highlights The Origin of Fermion AI: Charlie shares what inspired the platform and how his personal AI usage shaped its direction. AI Misconceptions: Charlie explains what business ow...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore why successful digital transformation depends less on speed and more on trust, clarity, and delivering real user value. Joining us is Sam Hyland, VP of Services at Veriday. With over two decades of hands-on experience, Sam shares how strong execution and honest delivery separate successful projects from failed ones. Key Highlights Strategy vs Execution Gap: Sam explains why many digital transformations fail during execution, not planning. Liferay and Scalable Experiences: Sam shares how Liferay enables flexible and scalable digital platforms. ...