Thinking about hiring your first employee or contractor? In this episode of Careers in the Cloud, we're joined by Emily Kroboth, Associate at Dentons Canada LLP, to unpack the real-world journey from being a solo IT contractor to running a growing consultancy. Discover the legal, financial, and operational essentials every tech professional needs to know before expanding their business.We explore employment law, compliance challenges across regions, and the tax implications of scaling your cloud or IT practice. Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or just starting to build your team, this conversation will help you avoid costly mistakes and set up for sustainable success.What you’ll learn:- How to transition from self-employed contractor to employer- Legal and HR basics when hiring staff or subcontractors- Payroll, taxes, and compliance across different jurisdictions- Structuring contracts and protecting your business legally- Common pitfalls IT professionals face when scaling🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Careers in the Cloud!Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & Disclaimer01:15 – The natural progression from contractor to business owner05:40 – When and why to hire your first employee10:25 – Legal frameworks: incorporation and compliance16:10 – Employment law vs. contracting law21:45 – Tax implications of hiring across regions27:30 – Payroll, benefits, and managing remote workers33:50 – Avoiding common legal and HR mistakes39:10 – Building a sustainable IT consultancy44:00 – Final advice for contractors scaling up46:30 – Wrap-up & key takeawaysLooking to hire or work as an IT contractor? Visit us at www.montrealassociates.com. Links:Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/montreal-associates/Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilykroboth/Connect with Maurizio (Host) on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauriziogioffre/
Are you an IT contractor in Canada, or thinking about becoming one? Wondering whether to operate as a T4 temporary employee, sole proprietor, or incorporated business? In this episode of Careers in the Cloud, we’re joined by 'Anti-Lawyer´, Daniel Rizzi, a seasoned Barrister and Solicitor from DiMinno Rizzi In Association, to break down the legal essentials every Canadian tech contractor should understand.
From liability risks to incorporation benefits, Daniel walks us through:- The legal differences between T4, sole proprietorship, and incorporation- When and why you should engage a lawyer as a tech contractor- What to prepare for your first meeting with a legal advisor- Legal pitfalls to avoid when starting a company or bringing on partners- How to protect your IP when developing your own software- Why getting legal advice early can save you money - and headaches - long termWhether you're freelancing in software development, DevOps, data, cloud infrastructure or cybersecurity, this episode gives you practical legal insights to protect your business, your assets, and your future.Subscribe for more tech contractor tips and industry insights across Canada and beyond.Looking to hire or work as an IT contractor? Visit us at www.montrealassociates.com. LINKS:Follow us on LinkedInFollow Daniel on LinkedInConnect with Maurizio (Host) on LinkedInDiMinno Rizzi In Association - https://drlawyers.ca/
DISCLAIMER: Mutual funds, approved exempt market products, and/or exchange-traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc. The comments contained herein are a general discussion of certain issues intended for conversational purposes only.
If you're an incorporated IT contractor or small business owner in Canada, you're probably asking: Should I invest through my corporation, or personally? What are the tax implications, and how can you use smart investing to plan for your family's future?
In this value-packed episode of Careers in the Cloud, we’re joined by Michael Marcucci, Certified Financial Planner at Investia Financial Services, and Frank Pizzimenti, CPA at Alex Pizzimenti CPA Professional Corporation, to demystify corporate investing in Canada.
They answer your most pressing questions, including:
Whether you're planning for the future, growing your wealth, or trying to avoid tax pitfalls, this episode gives you a strong financial foundation to make smarter decisions with your corporate money.
🎧 Subscribe to Careers in the Cloud for more expert advice tailored to Canadian IT contractors and incorporated professionals.
📬 Need help with contracting, incorporation, or growing your freelance business?
Visit www.montrealassociates.com.
LINKS:
In this episode, we welcome award-winning Product Designer, Tony Schibono! Tony boasts 15+ years of leading industry experience in designing brands, products, and experiences, even running his own design agency at one point! Tony shares his insights on the dramatic changes in the UX and product design field since he began in the field. We delve into the maturation of design operations, the shift from mobile-first to omni-channel approaches, the threat and rise of AI in design, and the differences between design roles and how they have evolved. Tony offers advice to both new and seasoned designers on navigating these changes and highlights the biggest opportunities in design today. This episode is packed with invaluable knowledge and insight for anyone in the design community. We hope you enjoy the episode! And if you do, please remember to give us a follow where you are listening! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:49 Changes in UX Design Since 2017 05:47 Tony's Unique Experience and Career Path 06:59 Differences Working on a Product for Startups and Large Companies 10:24 What Separates a Hands-On Designer from a Design Executive 13:34 Maturity of Recruitment in Product and Design 15:57 The Threat of AI on UX and Product Design 22:17 Product Design Roles Most at Risk Today 25:49 How Junior Product Design Professionals Can Stand Out Against AI 30:15 Job Opportunities for Future Design Professionals 32:17 Contact Information
Joining Maurizio on this episode is Daniil Saiko!
FinTech Product Manager and Director of Product Management & API at Kyriba. We explore his unorthodox journey into the tech industry - From his early days in martial arts to an impressive career in tech and product management. Daniil shares how his experiences in judo, karate, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shaped his professional path. How military training influenced his leadership and resilience, and applying those combat sports principles to overcome challenges in the tech industry. This conversation is perfect for anyone seeking personal and professional growth. Topics covered: 🥋 Which combat sports/martial arts Daniil has mastered 💪 How he continues to train and why it matters 💻 His inspiring journey from the combat field to the tech industry 📈 The impact of martial arts and military training on career progression 🔍 What he looks for when hiring IT professionals with similar backgrounds Connect with Daniil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniil-saiko/ ______________ Chapters: 00:09 - Introduction and Background 01:14 - Daniil's Martial Arts Journey 04:32 - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training 08:49 - Founding Startups and Learning to Code 10:31 - Journey into FinTech: From Pre-Sales to Product Management 12:35 - The most important skills for Product Management 14:12 - Impact of Combat Sports on Career 17:58 - Emotional Intelligence & self-awareness learnt in Combat Sports 20:58 - Military Training and Career Lessons 22:20 - Applying Military Skills to Overcome Challenges in Tech and Management 29:03 - Interpersonal & Management Skills from Martial Arts and Military Training 36:57 - The qualities looked for in candidates when hiring in Product Management ____________________________________ Want help finding your next IT mission? Drop your CV today on our website and become a part of our global IT contractor community: https://www.montrealassociates.com/
In this episode, we´ve brought in our tax partners and CPAs, Nasser Khan, and Ali Qamar from Prime Accounting & Tax, to give you IT professionals in Canada all the information you need to decide between setting up as a Sole Proprietor or incorporating your business. We explore the critical differences between T4 standard contractors, Sole Proprietors, and Incorporated contractors in Canada, helping you understand which path might be right for you. Whether you're just starting your IT contracting journey or looking to optimize your current setup, this episode provides valuable insights and practical tips to help you make informed decisions and maximize your financial benefits. Enjoy the episode, and don´t forget to give it a thumbs up if you like what we´re doing here at Careers in the Cloud! Topics: T4 Standard Contractor vs. Sole Proprietor vs. Incorporated Contractor: Understanding the distinctions and benefits. Decision Factors: What to consider when choosing your business structure. Tax Implications: At what income level does incorporation become financially beneficial? Provincial vs. Federal Incorporation: Differences and steps to set up your corporation. Payroll vs. Dividends: Should you pay yourself a salary, dividends, or both? Working with US Clients: How to navigate taxes and invoicing when dealing with US-based clients. Currency Considerations: Is charging in USD while living in Canada advantageous? Legal Structures: Do you need an LLC or S-Corp in the US? Tax Reduction Strategies: Legal methods to minimize corporate and personal income taxes. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:05 - The difference between a T4 temporary contractor, sole proprietor, and an incorporated contractor 03:52 – What risks to consider when deciding what route to take 09:31 – What income is required to be an incorporated contractor 10:30 – Process from permanent employee to contractor 12:11 – Do you need multiple contracts to be a contractor? 14:15 – Issues with contracts appearing as employment contracts 16:23 – Federal Canadian incorporation vs provincial incorporation 21:43 –The steps to setting up an incorporation 24:48 – How to pay yourself as a contractor 28:22 – Tax percentages 36:25 – Cross-border contracting 43:33 – Legally reducing the amount of tax you pay 50:18 – Options for investing ___________________________________________________________- Check out our partner, Prime Taxes: https://primetaxes.ca/ Want help finding your next IT mission? Drop your CV today on our website and become a part of our global IT contractor community: https://www.montrealassociates.com/
We have two new faces on this episode! We welcome Cédric D´Harveng for his debut episode as host, with Christophe Troessaert, a seasoned cloud consultant, now Azure specialist, with over a decade of experience.
Christophe shares his remarkable journey from his first IT role to becoming a leading freelance expert in cloud technology.
Christophe reflects on his transition from traditional employment to freelance consultancy, emphasizing the pivotal role of hands-on training and real-world experience. From his early days troubleshooting support tickets to mastering the intricacies of cloud infrastructure, Christophe's story is both inspiring and informative.
Learn about the opportunities in cloud computing, including the latest trends and challenges shaping the industry.
Gain expert advice on leveraging cloud technology to carve out a successful freelance career, and explore the essential skills and certifications needed to thrive in this dynamic field.
Whether you're a budding IT enthusiast or an experienced professional looking to make the leap into freelance consultancy, this episode offers invaluable guidance and inspiration to chart your course towards success in the cloud.
An insightful conversation with an industry expert paving the way for the next generation of cloud professionals.
Connect with Christophe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctroessaert/
Connect with Cédric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdharveng/
We sit down with George Nimah, a seasoned contractor and a prominent figure in Salesforce and Pardot, and the leader of Montreal's Salesforce User Group. George shares his journey into community leadership and the impact of consistent networking on his contracting success. Discover George's strategies for maintaining strong client relationships and seizing future opportunities. Gain insights into his proactive approach to market preparation for 2024 and his perspective on the emerging potential of the LATAM market. George also gives valuable insights into Salesforce contracting, networking, and market trends. If you enjoy this episode, don´t forget to give it a thumbs up! It means a lot to us and means we can keep on giving you great content. Chapters: 00:30 - How George and Maurizio met 01:42 - Running Montreal´s Salesforce User Group 03:52 - Becoming the User Group Leader 09:53 - Travelling as a Contractor 10:25 - Getting into Salesforce and Freelancing 11:10 - How the Economy has impacted success as a Freelancer or Contractor 12:46 - Doing Business Development as a Contractor 13:45 - The Key to Being Successful in a Turbulent Economy 17:38 - Full-time or part-time contract 20:50 - Mistakes during Covid 22:09 - How to get contract leads and winning future business opportunities 23:51 - Latin America´s tech scene 26:07 - Impact of Cultural Differences in Contracting 29:56 - Experience with Tech Contractors in LATAM 34:14 - What You Need to be Successful in Tech Contracting 38:02 - Advice to Those Starting out in Contract Connect with George on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gnimeh/ Connect with Maurizio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauriziogioffre/ Want to hear about the latest opportunities in Salesforce? Check out our website for our latest opportunities or drop us your CV: www.montrealassociates.com
We´re joined by not one, but two guests!
Introducing Rossella Rivetti, Tech Talent Acquisition for Porsche Digital Barcelona, and Andrea Onhaus, Operations & Delivery Manager at Nuvolar Works and Leader of the Women in Tech Trailblazer Community in Barcelona. In this episode, we delve into the evolving tech job market in Spain throughout 2023, exploring candidate feedback, the heightened importance of networking, and advice for those navigating the challenges of breaking into the tech space. Rossella and Andrea also shed light on the unique barriers faced by women in the Spanish tech market and share strategies to overcome them. They also give their exclusive predictions for the job market in Spain and beyond in 2024.
For our first episode of 2024, we had Cem Yondem, VP of Digital Customer Relationships at Schneider Electric, join us to discuss one of the biggest talking points in the last year - AI.
Leading the team at the Schneider Innovation Center, we talk about all their insider knowledge on the use of AI, how businesses can adopt it successfully, and how it will impact the workforce in the future. Don't forget to give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed this episode, and let us know in the comments below what talking points you enjoyed!
Chapters:
02:09 Speaking at Dreamforce
03:58 Being a speaker vs attending events
05:13 First use of Einstein Analytics at Schneider Electric
07:14 How do you choose the speaking topic for Dreamforce
09:58 How will AI be the most impactful in the CRM space
14:24 How to be successful at adopting AI in a business
18:46 AI Data compliance and storage
19:30 What's happening at the Schnieder Innovation Center
23:16 The strategies for retaining tech talent
26:03 Stand out locations to live and projects worked on
28:34 How will AI impact jobs and areas of new demand
32:04 Where is the workforce least ready to meet the demands driven by AI
38:13 The future pipeline of AI use in Schneider Electric Connect with Cem on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cem-y%C3%B6ndem-13886038/ Follow Schneider Electric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/schneider-electric/ Follow MA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/montreal-associates/
Are you ready to take your career to new heights in the tech industry?
Look no further than Careers in the Cloud - the ultimate podcast for aspiring tech professionals like you.
Join us as we bring together the brightest minds and industry leaders who have paved their way to success. Get ready to be inspired, gain valuable insights, and receive game-changing advice that will propel your career forward.
Hit that follow button and embark on an inspirational journey in the world of technology.
WE'RE IN DUBAI!! Super excited to have recorded this special episode in Dubai with an even more special guest - Rihana Sharif! As a Salesforce specialist that relocated from the UK to Dubai, Rihana is answering questions I know so many of you are so interested to know about. From her journey in the Salesforce ecosystem in London to Dubai, this episode offers a deep insight into the experience of relocating and provides inspiration and insights for those considering a move to tech hubs like Dubai. If you enjoy this episode, please do us a big favor and hit that like button and comment below on what you enjoyed or learned! And don't forget to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes. Topics: 00:00 - Introduction 01:42 - Getting into Salesforce 04:10 - The Movement from Perm to Contract 05:34 - How the move to Dubai came about 07:06 - What the transition from the UK to Dubai was like 09:01 - The Salesforce Landscape in Dubai 09:22 - What it's like to work in Dubai 11:21 - The soft skills needed to work in Salesforce in Dubai 14:57 - Cultural differences when it comes to business 17:28 - Women in Tech in the UAE 18:27 - Why it's the best time for women in tech to relocate to Dubai 20:24 - The pros and cons of relocating to Dubai 22:29 - Can you work successfully as a contractor in Dubai? 27:38 - Is Dubai for everyone? 33:30 - Are the salaries in Dubai as good as people make out? 38:59 - Living in Dubai as a single person 42:04 - Get to know Rihana 47:53 - Advice to those wanting to move to Dubai 50:00 - trying classic Asian drinks and snacks Connect with Rihana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rihana-s-152a6935/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/montreal-associates/
Welcome to our first-ever episode of Careers in the Cloud in Italian AND focused on Microsoft!
Our guest for this episode is Enrico Sforza, a Microsoft Certified Trainer and a Senior Consultant in Microsoft Dynamics AX/365 with experience in Finance Operations and Retail E-commerce.
Topics:
- Going from Consultancy to Trainer
- How to get the Trainer Certification
- Life as a Microsoft Trainer
- Advice to those looking to become a certified Microsoft Trainer
If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, and don't forget to subscribe to our channel to be notified each time a new episode lands!
Connect with Enrico on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/enrico-sforza-45724298/
Follow MA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/montreal-associates/
Our guest for this episode is Khaled McGonnell, Founder of the Salesforce Industry Cloud Consultancy, Cloud Hikers which specializes in project management, solution & technical architecture, business analysis, and the design, build, and testing of Salesforce Industry Cloud solutions.
Khaled has extensive experience across many full-lifecycle digital transformations having worked with the Salesforce, Salesforce Industries, and SAP products for over 17 years.
Topics:
00:49 - Introduction
01:48 - Start of Khaled´s Tech Career
04:51 - The Biggest Challenge Faced So Far
06:15 - Difficult Bosses & Leadership Styles
09:30 - Salesforce Industries in 2023
10:27 - The Importance of Choosing an Industry in Salesforce
11:12 - The Creation of Cloud Hikers
14:25 - The Strategy for Hiring & Maintaining a Diverse & Inclusive Workplace Environment
17:52 - Search for Equal Shares Partners
18:25 - Advice for Those Deciding What To Do Next
23:19 - The Vision for Growing Cloud Hikers
If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, and don't forget to subscribe to our channel to be notified each time a new episode lands!
Connect with Khalid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-mcgonnell/ Follow MA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/montreal-associates/
Andrew Cook is a Senior Technical Instructor at Salesforce Ben, the largest dedicated Salesforce news site in the world. Andrew entered the company as an author in 2019, but prior to that, he specialized as a Salesforce Administrator working with the likes of the Financial Times and Jamf. Topics: 01:34 - The journey into the Salesforce Ecosystem 04:00 - The power of Salesforce user groups for development 06:33 - Landing the job at Salesforce Ben 11:27 - Getting into the role of a Senior Technical Instructor 14:07 - Men's Mental Health in Tech 18:43 - Advice to those struggling to find a job 20:58 - Behind the Scenes at Salesforce Ben 23:29 - Releasing the news of Salesforce Layoffs 27:13 - Insider scoop on Salesforce Ben for 2023 29:29 - Reach out to Andrew
Our guest for this episode is Fabio Aversa, Senior Technical Product Manager for Telus, a Canadian national telecommunications company. Fabio has been working with Telus now for over 10 years and has over 20 years of experience in product management, systems strategy, marketing automation, and sales. Topics: 00:27 - Addressing the layoffs 02:18 - Turning the layoffs into an opportunity 03:52 - How a manager can deal with layoffs with dignity 05:43 - How to communicate with your team 09:12 - Recommended resources for a manager 11:54 - How to manage different generations 13:24 - How to hire successfully 19:21 - Opinion on the 'hire fast, fire faster' approach 22:22 - The self-determination theory 24:52 - Advice for a Manager going through a rough patch 27: 33 - Reach out to Fabio If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow Careers in the Cloud to be notified each time a new episode lands! Connect with Fabio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabioaversa/ Follow MA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/montreal-associates/
Our guest for this episode is Fabio Aversa, Senior Technical Product Manager for Telus, a Canadian national telecommunications company. Fabio has been working with Telus now for over 10 years and has over 20 years of experience in product management, systems strategy, marketing automation, and sales. Topics: 00:40 - Introduction to Fabio's career and background 02:30 - Moving from Italy to Canada 09:54 - What keeps you staying at the same company for a long time 15:45 - Does choosing the right industry play a part in longevity at a company 17:19 - A lifestyle business vs an impact business 21:00 - The inspiration and process behind creating free management content 23:24 - Content that resonates most with people 26:15 - The importance and value of networking If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow Careers in the Cloud to be notified each time a new episode lands! Connect with Fabio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabioaversa/ Follow MA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mont...
We're joined by CRM Analytics Specialist, Manny Omideyi on this episode! As a professional who went from permanent to contract into a specialist area, Manny has a lot of experience and advice to give about contracting and the benefits of CRM analytics.
Topics:
We're kicking off 2023 with our first-ever studio recording in Barcelona, with the legend that is David Sánchez.
With over 15 years of experience in Salesforce, and the leader of the Salesforce Admin User Group, we're excited to give him the platform to share his deep knowledge with you all, as well as provide a great insight into the salesforce talent ecosystem in Barcelona and Spain as a whole.
We hope you enjoy the episode!
In this episode, we are joined by Georgii Saveliev, Certified Technical Architect (CTA) and Communications Cloud Architect.
We go through Georgii’s Salesforce career, spanning several continents, to understand how he got into the world of CPQ / Vlocity / Salesforce Industries, and the next stage of his journey as an independent consultant. A must-watch episode for anyone considering relocation or going independent.
If you like this episode, please go give us a follow as it will help our podcast spread to more like-minded people!
Connect with and reach out to Georgii on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiisaveliev/
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/montreal-associates/