Collisions YYC

In this episode, Cara Wolf, CEO of Ammolite Analytx, highlights the need for securing your business against cyber crimes, attacks, and risks. Cara has a proven track record of conceptualizing, developing and commercializing technology-based solutions in the defence, finance and energy sectors. She explains how security measures begin at a basic level, such as teaching employees how to avoid common errors that can result in data breaches, and should grow as your company does. Unfortunately, bad actors are everywhere, and their businesses are just as sophisticated as the most sophisticated legal organizations. Whether you’re a start-up founder or C-Suite executive, your company has intellectual property, data and sensitive information that must be protected. As Cara points out, it’s a non-negotiable to lock your home’s front door - why not protect your company the same way? Cara explains changing regulations that will make security needs table stakes, what threats are out there, and the mindset leadership needs to adopt - both in government and business - to avoid costly security breaches.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the multi-faceted approach to our climate change targets from SolarSteam CEO, Apostol Radev. His company uses solar thermal technology to help clients efficiently heat their properties, which in turn has a positive benefit on reducing electric grid loads. With the continued adoption of EVs and the endless battery-powered devices we wear and carry, making our electric grid more stable will be one key to ensuring a sustainable, comfortable future. Apostol helps you understand the benefits of solar thermal energy and how SolarSteam built renewable heat that reduces carbon emissions and costs, while also ensuring their systems are easy to manufacture, ship and install. He has an approachable way of explaining technology to help you understand how this technology works and the ways SolarSteam sees it being applied to multiple industries. Whatever industry you’re in, our shared climate and ESG goals affect us all. This episode is a great primer on how collaboration, innovation and long-term vision are three crucial needs to ensure a sustainable future for all.

In this episode, learn how self-proclaimed “unemployable” Jeff Russell went from corporate Canada to starting and running multiple businesses. If you’ve ever dreamed of the freedom of entrepreneurship, this episode will inspire you to take the leap of faith and provide key insights necessary to ensure you set your business up for success. From operational systems to healthy habits that will lend themselves to your success, Jeff is a walking case study on successful entrepreneurship. Learn how he found the industries in need of his skills and how he grew his medical consulting business in the US.Jeff believes a life well lived needs three things in balance: health, wealth and wellness. Through systematizing multiple businesses, Jeff has the opportunity to work a few hours in each business and spend the rest of his time either helping other entrepreneurs create a similar lifestyle or enjoying the lifestyle he has built. If you’re curious about the reality of entrepreneurship or need some helpful tips to create a business that can run with (or without) you, don’t miss this episode.Jeff is also a published author, whose book "Fire Yourself First" helps business owners learn to let go. He has taken his "secret sauce" on how to analyze, systemize, and scale businesses, and packaged it for you, giving you all his strategies and tips so you can unchain yourself from the daily grind. 

In this episode, discover the lost art of finding the “middle” with Joanna Shea, Managing Partner at The Negotiations Collective, a negotiations firm that specializes in conflict training, coaching, and consulting. Their science and research-backed approach is delivered from team members with backgrounds with the FBI, academia, behavioural science and more. From negotiating with her parents at five years old to negotiating acquisitions, mergers, divestments and more in the energy industry, Joanna brings years of expertise to profiling individuals and negotiating to help you avoid conflict where there needn’t be any, know your worth and value, and go after what you want with confidence. If you’ve ever felt sweaty palms, a racing heart and the inability to control your response, congratulations, you’re a human being! Yet being able to self-regulate is crucial to successful negotiations. Joanna provides several actionable insights on how to increase your awareness and give yourself the space to respond in a way that builds a happy middle and helps you get what you want. You’ll learn more about The Negotiations Collective and its powerful team of experts, and how they test and push their training methods with research and science.

In this episode, hear from Lori James, Shalzah Visram, Paul Selway and Tanya Sharma-Moore, of Making Changes Association (aka Calgary’s best kept secret). This 30+ year old company helps women, both teens and adults, to overcome barriers, open doors and create their own path. They do this through their programs, such as Dress For Success, My Best Friend’s Closet, employment and life skill programs, partnerships with more than 100 local agencies and their brand new program, Women In Technology. This episode will remind you that as we grow and scale Western Canada, we must continue to do the critical work to ensure nobody is left behind.One of the greatest aspects of Calgary is our city’s ability to welcome different cultures, views and ways of thinking. The pioneering spirit to embrace change is a strength we can rely on as we navigate a rapidly changing tech ecosystem, economy and talent shortage. The Making Changes Association team each highlight the economic benefits to diverse and inclusive workplaces, and share how their new Women In Technology program can build bridges between industry and overlooked candidates. You’ll also learn more about their funding and how friendly competition between companies can deliver greater access and pathways to growth. 

In this episode, Sabrina Sullivan, Director of Transformation + Ecosystem at the School for Advanced Digital Technology, shares her experiences attending SXSW. Specifically, she attended the EDU track, which brings educators, technologists, futurists, and venture capitalists together to gain new perspectives and applied knowledge to return to their daily roles. When attending a massive event like SXSW, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by choices of what topics to explore. Sabrina helps you understand how to get the most out of any conference you attend and will inspire you to push your thinking to new heights.Sabrina spends a lot of time thinking about complex problems and asking questions about them. Whether it’s the impact of AI avatars in education, focusing on improving accessibility and meeting special needs, or asking who’s responsible for ensuring learners are employable after post-secondary, Sabrina is wildly curious about how to solve these problems. Her ability to challenge her assumptions and seek out diverse opinions are two tools she uses to connect disparate ideas and consider opportunities. No matter what vertical you work in, or what title you hold, this episode will provide you with crucial insights to effective problem solving for the future.

In this episode, learn about Prairies Economic Development Canada, the federal government’s boots on the ground in the prairies, from Derek Armstrong, Manager of Innovation Ecosystems. Derek explains how they operate as a funding agency to support the innovation around us. By helping to grow, scale and diversify the economy, Derek has plenty of valuable insights into the ecosystem and our challenges and opportunities.Derek and his team of five spend plenty of time in the sectors that matter in the Prairies, from CleanTech and energy transition to AGtech and life sciences. His goal is to understand how to best invest in and support entrepreneurs and SMEs and this episode will inform you how they do it. Whether you’re growing, scaling or thinking about your next move, this episode will remind you there are plenty of organizations in your corner with the investment capital to help you succeed. Derek highlights how Prairies Economic Development has been at the forefront of fields like hydrogen and how de-risking projects means more individuals have a willingness to be ‘first’ and take bold risks.

In this episode, hear from the President of IO-Aerospace and Partner of GNO-SYS Technology Ltd., Jon Neufeld, about the innovative world of geographic information system mapping (GIS). Jon is an expert in developing and commercializing innovative technology to solve interesting problems. You’ll gain an understanding of the Canadian roots of GIS and how it has evolved from simple mapping to technology layering insights to think of information in new ways. Whether your organization wants to meet its ESG requirements, find new ways to track what matters or improve data processing, this episode is chock full of relevant insights.Humans use GIS daily - from the map in their phone guiding them to a new restaurant to local farmers analyzing soil data to determine which crops to grow. In fact, you may use GIS without even knowing it! Jon will help you understand the important role geomatics plays in our daily life, and how it can facilitate innovative solutions to pressing problems. Jon also highlights his favourite resources to learn more about GIS and his optimistic outlook on the tech ecosystem in Alberta.

In this episode, hear from innovative CEO Clark Lai of Motiv Innovation Group. The organization works with its clients to help them identify innovation opportunities and create new value through digital technology. Clark explains his perspective of innovation and how Motiv uses its Digital Innovation Model Framework to drive value for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. Whether you’re responsible for digital transformation and innovation or want to understand commercialization from an innovation perspective better, this episode is a must-listen.Digital transformation and innovation bring new opportunities and challenges, but according to Clark, the problem is never the tech. It is very predictable. People, on the other hand, are less so. Innovation is inherently risky and requires an honest look at the risks and possible outcomes before diving in. Clark shares many of the questions he includes in Motiv’s process to help you think through how to validate your innovative idea, and inspire you to explore the possibilities.

In this episode, learn about the risks and opportunities of AI with Ian Hargreaves, Data Science Fellow at ATB Financial. His role is to advise ATB Financial and its data science teams to think about how AI can solve problems for its own business and its clients. As we collectively take part in the world’s biggest AI experiment by using tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney, it’s critical to take a strategic view and think through this technology’s regulatory, ethical, and even legal aspects. Ian will help you consider important questions and understand what they can mean for your business operations.Change can be scary when uncertainties are plentiful. Ian helps address these fears in organizations by helping senior leadership teams have open conversations about emerging technology to voice their concerns and explore opportunities. This episode will help you with many of the key insights Ian shares with his clients. Ian also shares how your organization will keep its competitive edge by having an open mind and flexibility of thought, including the need for senior leaders to advocate for change and push bold ideas forward. Luckily, with Alberta’s entrepreneurial spirit, Ian showcases many of the success stories in our province and what he’s seeing in the province that excites him.