CanadianSME Small Business Podcast
Welcome to the CanadianSME podcast, a podcast for Canadian Small Businesses. In our podcasts, we interview Canadian experts and entrepreneurs to give small business owners access to expert knowledge that helps them grow their enterprises. Our mission is to empower Canadian small and medium enterprises and help them reach a bigger audience through our platform. Calling upon some of the most successful subject matter experts in the industry, the small business podcasts aim at identifying issues and finding solutions, all this while helping the business owners.
10
Beyond Performative EDI: The Power of Authentic Equity and Bold Leadership
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. True inclusion is not created through statements alone; it requires reflection, accountability, and changes that reach how organizations operate every day. Today, we explore what meaningful equity leadership looks like in practice.</p><p>Joining us is Michael Bowe, Principal of Bowe and Associates Inc. With over 25 years of experience in equity advocacy, executive coaching, and organizational change, Michael helps leaders align policies, culture, and decision making with authentic inclusion.</p><p>Key Highlights</p>Beyond Performative Change: Moving from statements to measurable equity action.Inclusive Leadership: Creating...
The Fraud Protection Premium: Why High-Net-Worth Individuals Still Fall for Sophisticated Scams
<p>Welcome to today’s episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, where Kripa Anand brings you conversations on protecting the people, decisions, and strategies behind successful businesses. Financial threats are becoming more sophisticated, but the right systems and awareness can make all the difference. Today, we explore how families and leaders can approach wealth with greater confidence.</p><p>Joining us is Brooke M. Dean, SCFP, RRC, TEP, CIM/Senior Financial Planner at BMD Financial Ltd. with Raymond James Ltd. A Certified Financial Planner, Registered Retirement Consultant, Trust and Estate Practitioner, and Chartered Investment Manager, Brooke brings more than tw...
Beyond the Hyperscalers: The Sovereign Blueprint to Energy-Efficient Synthetic Intelligence
<p>Welcome to the Indigenous SME Podcast, where Kripa Anand brings you conversations with Indigenous leaders using innovation to shape stronger communities and economies. What if leaders could test the future before making decisions that affect millions of people? Today, we explore how synthetic intelligence can make complex risks easier to understand and plan for.</p><p>Joining us are Myrna Bittner, CEO and Co Founder, and Dean Bittner, CTO and Co Founder of RUNWITHIT Synthetics Inc. Together, they are advancing sovereign AI and synthetic environments designed to help leaders model climate, health, infrastructure, and economic scenarios with greater precision.<...
The Cyber Resilience Premium: Why Outdated Legacy Systems Expose SMEs to Total Shutdown
<p>Welcome to a brand new episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Cyber threats are no longer a distant IT concern; one overlooked vulnerability can bring an entire operation to a standstill. Today, we explore how businesses can strengthen their defenses before a crisis puts everything on the line.</p><p>Joining us is Stéphane Auger, Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, and CISO at Team Microfix. With more than 25 years of cybersecurity experience, Stéphane helps Canadian organizations strengthen security, navigate crises, and protect critical operations with specialized technology and governance.</p><p>Key Hi...
Beyond 100 Years: The Blueprint for Enduring Growth
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. What does it take to build a technology company with a vision that stretches far beyond the next growth cycle? Today, we explore organic expansion, practical AI adoption, and the leadership principles behind building for the long term.</p><p>Joining us is Kevin Crowe, Chief Operating Officer at Long View Systems. With experience spanning technology, philanthropy, and ultra endurance, Kevin has helped guide Long View from a three person startup to a 1,400 person North American IT company while advancing its AI transformation journey.</p><p>Key Highlights<...
Why Smart Companies Struggle to Sound Clear
<p>Welcome to today’s episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. When a business knows its subject but struggles to explain its value, even great ideas can disappear in the noise. Today, we explore how clearer language, stronger storytelling, and better listening can turn expertise into connection.</p><p>Joining us is Alison Copeland, Founder of Copeland Creative. An award winning creative leader with experience shaping thought leadership for brands including Accenture Song, BDO Canada, Deloitte, IBM, and Workday, Alison brings a refreshingly human approach to making complex ideas easier to understand.</p><p>Key Hi...
The Talent Acquisition Premium: How Bridging Management Skill Gaps and AI Shifts Retains Top Talent
<p>Welcome to today’s episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Hiring the right people is only one part of building a strong team; keeping them engaged, growing, and committed is where the real challenge begins. Today, we explore what separates successful talent strategies from costly hiring mistakes.</p><p>Joining us is Freddy Rawji, President at Torus Talent. With experience scaling recruitment operations and helping organizations across engineering, finance, construction, and technology, Freddy brings practical insights into finding, developing, and retaining top talent.</p><p>Key Highlights</p>Winning Talent: Why top candidates choose on...
AI for SMEs: How to Build a Future-Ready Team Without the Risk
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, where Kripa Anand brings you conversations on the ideas shaping the future of Canadian businesses. AI adoption is not just about having the latest tools; it is about knowing where technology can create real value. Today, we explore how SMEs can adapt, experiment, and grow without enterprise-level resources.</p><p>Joining us is Mark Patterson, Executive Director at Magnet. A leader in workforce innovation, Mark helps employers, workers, and communities navigate economic change while exploring how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping skills, jobs, and business strategy.</p><p>Key Highlights</p>...
The Canada–Africa Trade Opportunity: How Due Diligence and Local Partnerships Unlock Emerging Markets
<p>Welcome to today’s episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Taking a business across borders is about far more than finding a new market; it takes trust, preparation, and the right local relationships. Today, we explore how Canadian SMEs can build stronger commercial bridges with Africa.</p><p>Joining us is Ali Soumah, Founder, President and CEO of ALI SOUMAH BUSINESS CENTER (ASBC). With a multicultural background spanning Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Canada, Ali brings a unique perspective on trade, investment readiness, due diligence, and international business development.</p><p>Key Hi...
The Process First Premium: Why Automating Broken Workflows Destroys Business Margins
<p>Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. AI should make a business better, not simply add another layer of complexity. Today, we explore how companies can fix inefficient processes, automate the right work, and build technology systems that genuinely improve the bottom line.</p><p>Joining us is Adam Bowles, Partner and CEO of ACT360 Web & IT Inc. Since 2009, Adam has helped more than 500 businesses across Central and Southern Ontario modernize their technology, combining hands on IT experience with practical automation, integration, and data protection strategies.</p><p>Key Highlights</p>Structure Before AI: Why...
