Dr. Vivienne Ming offers a glimpse into her keynote address at Magnet Network Live. Dr. Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Socos Labs. Her AI inventions have launched a dozen companies and nonprofits focused on human potential in education, workforce, and health. Dr. Ming explains her idea that we need to challenge ourselves with AI, not simply using it to make life easier, but harder, by having it create “productive friction that makes us better.” Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Ming says we need to use AI “as our Socrates” to ask us the questions we’ve been “hiding from ourselves.”She asks us to consider what humanity is uniquely good at that AI isn’t.2. Ming says a great life “goes deep,” is engaged, and is willing to be wrong in order to learn and find something new. Host: Maggie John

Tiffany Callender joins us to discuss her efforts to help deliver economic empowerment to Black Canadian entrepreneurs. Callender is co-founder and CEO of the Federation of African-Canadian Economics (FACE). Working with the Government of Canada, she co-developed the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund. Callender explains how access to capital is an essential need for entrepreneurs, and describes how minorities have traditionally faced difficulty borrowing the funds they need from banks and credit unions. As her work shows, shared lived-experience between lenders and borrowers has improved access to capital for Black Canadian entrepreneurs, illuminating a community of business people  “hiding in plain sight.” Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Callender launched FACE during the COVID-19 pandemic and didn’t meet her team in person until more than a year later. The experience reinforced her belief in the value of digital readiness. 2. “COVID taught us that we need to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time,” she says, explaining how a digital footprint offers an avenue for business growth amid changing circumstances.3. Networking is an important part of a successful digital strategy, because the right network can help you identify the digital tools you need at different stages of your business’ growth journey. Host: Maggie John

Darian Kovacs joins us to discuss how small businesses can harness digital tools to maximize the reach and impact of their marketing efforts. Kovacs is the Métis founder of Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and Jelly Academy, based in Vancouver. He hosts the Marketing News Canada podcast, chairs the Digital Marketing Sector Council, and sits on the board of NPower Canada. Kovacs shares what businesses can learn from viral TikTok stars, why the most important social media channels aren’t the ones you think, and why he thinks we’re in the age of “silent social.” Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Businesses need to be findable and able to respond to customers.The only social media channel that you actually own is your newsletter. You can nurture those contacts and relationships over time, while LinkedIn and Tiktok can change their algorithm tomorrow.2. Rather than being the sole voice of their brand, businesses need to think about how they can create shareable content that allows customers to be their representatives, while also rewarding that customer loyalty.   Host: Maggie John

Dr. Wendy Cukier joins us to discuss her take on the future of work in Canada. A leading expert on disruptive technologies and  innovation, Dr. Cukier is Academic Director of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University. As AI technologies become more common in the workplace, Dr. Cukier argues that workers need both frameworks to support these technologies, and guardrails to ensure they’re used responsibly. Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Even as Generative AI takes hold, Dr. Cukier sees an ongoing need for non-technical skills, such as the ability to argue, use language, and think critically. Such skills, she says, will be key to effective prompt engineering.2. Despite rhetoric and backlash against it, diversity remains a competitive advantage for businesses and must continue to be leveraged.3. Those businesses that are able to leverage inclusion, innovation, productivity, and sustainability will be well positioned for long-term success. Host: Darian Kovacs

Award-winning and platinum-selling recording artist Jully Black joins us to talk about love and positivity, her accomplished career, and the role of music in advocacy. Black talks about seizing opportunity, explains what it means to be a ‘co-conspirator,’ and gives us the inside story of her famously edited performance of ‘O Canada’ at the 2023 NBA All-Star game. Host: Emily Madden

Matt Small joins us to discuss technology’s role in preparing students for the workforce. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Small is deeply committed to partnering with the global higher education community to redefine student and institutional success by leveraging Symplicity’s smart, innovative technology. Since becoming President & CEO of Symplicity, he has expanded the company globally with products and acquisitions in Latin America, Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Small shares how he sees technology changing the way educational institutions prepare students for the workforce.  Highlights from our conversation include: 1.Students are placing more and more emphasis on employability, and they want to know how universities will prepare them for the workforce and want opportunities to gain work experience through internships and experiential learning. 2. Symplicity helps bridge the gap between students, employers, and post-secondary institutions. The platform has quality jobs that are easy for students to find and apply to, leading to better employment outcomes for students.  Host: Maggie John

Jeff Melanson joins us to discuss how creative industries are leveraging technology to stay innovative. Jeff Melanson is renowned for his inventive approach to disruptive innovation, blending bold strategy with practical vision. As Strategic Partner for Unity Technologies, Partner at the Stratagem Group, and Advisor at Lansberg Gersick Advisors, he excels in identifying hidden talent and growth opportunities. Melanson shares his favourite example of a company staying innovative and changing to keep up with current technology—Nintendo!  Highlights from our conversation include: 1. The importance of encouraging people from a young age to embrace their creativity and thinking outside the box. 2. The necessity of using less technical jargon to make technology more accessible to a wider variety of people. 3. Why being open to change is an important leadership quality for guiding organizations through digital transformation.  Host: Maggie John

Noel Baldwin joins us to discuss the need to address skills gaps in various industries. Noel Baldwin is the Interim Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre (FSC). He brings nearly two decades of experience in leading strategic initiatives and policy development in postsecondary education, adult learning and skills development. Baldwin shares his thoughts on how the pressing need to address skill gaps in various industries requires a collaborative approach between businesses and educational systems. Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Meaningful engagement from employers is essential to initiate discussions on skills, though SMEs often face challenges in participation. 2. Educational institutions can play a pivotal role by first gaining a deep understanding of employer needs, and then building on Canada's existing skilled workforce.  Host: Maggie John

Jamie Savage joins us to discuss challenges in talent recruitment. Jamie Savage is the Interim CEO of Startup Canada and is also the founder of The Leadership Agency, the executive recruitment partner of choice for North America’s fastest-growing startups and non-profits. Under Jamie’s leadership, the Leadership Agency has seen impressive growth, expanding into the US within just 18 months.  Savage shares her tips to help organizations improve talent recruitment and retention.   Highlights from our conversation include: 1. The key to a good recruitment strategy is knowing exactly what your business needs are and what areas of recruitment you need to focus on (for example, attraction vs. retention). 2. Every organization does recruitment and having a strategy isn’t what sets you apart. What organizations need is the human element. How moving her organization to a four day work week helped improve their productivity and revenue by 200 per cent.  Host: Jeremy Strachan

Daniel Tisch joins us to discuss the trust factor when it comes to small businesses adopting AI. Daniel is President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and a public policy leader with extensive experience in government and the corporate sector. As the CEO and majority owner of Argyle Communications from 2003 to 2023, he grew the firm into Canada’s largest management-owned engagement and communications advisory firm. Tisch shares why trust is the biggest barrier when it comes to small businesses using AI and why technology goes further when supported by human skills.  Highlights from our conversation include: 1. One of the biggest predictors of success for a business is how they build a talent pipeline. Those who are working with schools to attract and train student talent will be poised to be more competitive. 2. Recognizing the limited resources of small businesses, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce launched an AI Hub to support the ethical adoption of new technology across the province. Host: Maggie John

Andrea Sampson joins us to discuss the power of storytelling for business leaders. Andrea Sampson is the founder of Talk Boutique. As an  executive speaker coach, communication expert and business strategist, Sampson specializes in helping those who have a message to convey do so with engagement and clarity. Sampson shares why creativity needs a little tension, the magic of the water cooler conversation, and the kinds of stories audiences actually remember. Highlights from our conversation include: 1.Thought leaders create the future, making it especially important that diverse leaders are able to convey their ideas and stories to the right audiences.2. People remember stories more than facts or data.   Hosts: Maggie John

Jean-Pierre (JP) Giroux joins us to discuss how the manufacturing industry is changing to accommodate new technologies and a rapidly changing workforce. For more than two decades, JP has held positions of increasing responsibility with economic development, NGO, management consulting, industrial and corporate organizations throughout Canada. Beginning as an economic development officer in Canada’s Capital Region, JP has devoted the past 20 years developing innovative workplace performance-based solutions for the Canadian manufacturing sector.Giroux shares some of the key challenges Canadian manufacturers face in adopting new technology and how they can overcome these barriers.    Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Canadian manufacturers face significant challenges in adopting new technologies, such as automation, robotics, and digitalization, which are crucial for advanced manufacturing. Overcoming these barriers requires substantial investment and the ability to manage change, including upskilling the workforce to transition from old to new roles. 2. Creating inclusive work environments and attracting diverse talent are also major concerns, especially with an impending wave of retirements coming in the next ten years. To address labor shortages, manufacturers aim to appeal to women and individuals with disabilities by engaging with the next generation in schools. 3. Maintaining strong connections between school boards, high schools, and local industries is vital, particularly in rural communities, to ensure the sector's sustainability. Host: Maggie John

Shamira Madhany discusses the barriers that many skilled immigrants face when entering the Canadian workforce. Madhany is Managing Director, Canada and Deputy Executive Director, World Education Services. Madhany explains how post-secondary institutions can help immigrants bridge the ‘Canadian experience’ barrier with bridging programs, or by helping international students access pathways to employment. Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Helping international professionals get their credentials recognized in Canada can play a “very significant” role in keeping our economy competitive into the future.2. As the global marketplace for skilled talent becomes more competitive, the countries that succeed will be those able to attract immigrants by utilizing their skills and abilities to the fullest. Host: Jeremy Strachan

Candice Faktor joins us to discuss how AI can help unlock human potential. Candice Faktor is the co-founder of Disco, an AI-powered social learning platform. Faktor is also a keynote speaker on the future of work and believes we must invest in upskilling our workforces and use AI to augment human potential. Faktor shares why AI is more empathetic than we might think and how it can help us break free from the mundane.  Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Canadian organizations don’t have the capacity to offer upskilling opportunities, which has hurt productivity. If we can use technology to provide more opportunities to upskill and collaborate, we can close that productivity gap. 2. AI can be used to build personalized learning experiences, which are crucial but difficult for businesses to facilitate. 3. AI is hyper aware and can glean insights about your workforce, its learning patterns, and potential that you might miss. Host: Maggie John

Scott Sirrett joins us to discuss how young people can prepare themselves for the future of work. Stirrett is the Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, a national charity that fosters entrepreneurial skills in young Canadians. Stirrett lists work experience through internships and work-integrated learning experiences as one of the best methods of preparing for future employment success. Also important are networking and mentorship, as well as having a sense of curiosity and a willingness to keep learning. Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Social and emotional skills remain important and are worth cultivating. It’s useful to be able to challenge colleagues while remaining personable and professional in a diverse environment.2. Other important skills include the ability to communicate in a clear and organized manner while customizing your message to suit distinct audiences, as well as focus and time-management/task prioritization.3. Young professionals should form a ‘personal advisory board’ of people they can consult with on important issues, such as career, mentorship, etc. Host: Maggie John

Patrick MacKenzie joins us to discuss challenges faced by skilled immigrants and their integration into the Canadian labour market. Patrick MacKenzie is the CEO of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. He has made a career of public service from coast to coast, working in policy and program areas aimed at supporting many of Canada’s most vulnerable communities through economic and social development as well as international relations. MacKenzie shares his thoughts on how we can solve this miscommunication between employers and skilled immigrants.  Highlights from our conversation include: 1. How employers should shift their focus from formal credentials to the actual skills required for a job. 2. The importance of recognizing that immigrants' diverse work experiences can offer fresh perspectives and drive innovation. Host: Maggie John

Jessica Hanan joins us to discuss how she sees generative AI transforming industries. Jessica is the founder of Prompt Pilot, a leading SaaS platform that uses an AI coach to help users become expert prompters. She holds a First Class Honors Degree in AI Business Strategy, Risk Management, and Economics. As an Innovation Strategist at Altruistic, she combines financial acumen with AI expertise to drive impactful initiatives. Hanan shares her insights on how organizations can start adopting AI into their business practices, and how to upskill their employees to make the transition smoother.    Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Generative AI is rapidly transforming industries, with organizations at various stages of adoption. Some are beginning with AI strategy and upskilling, while others dive in quickly.2. Experimenting with free tools is a great way to get started. 3. A small crucial step that most companies are missing… a comprehensive strategy!  Host: Maggie John

Sasha Tregebov explains how applying insights from behavioural science can improve the design and delivery of policies, programs and services. As the Director of BIT Canada, Tregebov works to bring a more human-centred and evidence-driven approach to supporting job seekers, workers, and employers. Tregebov explains how “choice architecture” and the “Law of Least Effort” impact the choices and decisions we make. To avoid bias and mitigate risk, organizations should examine the choice architecture of their processes for such things as hiring, promotions, and budgeting. Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Tregebov believes it’s essential for organizations to identify and remove all “frictions” that could inhibit uptake of new technologies, as well as programs and services.2. Organizations need to Incorporate user uptake as a core element of program design, rather than leaving it out of the design process. Host: Maggie John

Rob Henderson joins us to discuss human resources challenges in Canada’s bio-technology sector. Henderson is President and CEO of BioTalent Canada,  an in-demand partner, policy influencer, and project leader that brings together the country’s largest national bio-economy network. His work focuses on connecting employers with skilled talent and addressing workforce shortages. Henderson explains that Canada’s bio-tech sector is projected to face a shortfall of 65,000 workers by 2029. Part of the problem is that enrolment in STEM programs is down, and science graduates often lack the business skills to successfully launch their own ventures. Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is “a great way for students to learn the business of science hands-on.” It’s also an equally useful opportunity for employers to identify promising students and build talent pipelines.2. AI adoption in Canada’s bio-tech sector is lagging, partly because four in five organizations is an SME, many of whom lack the resources for training and experimentation.3.Likewise, SMEs often lag behind bigger companies when it comes to hiring, partly because they are more likely to hire through informal networks. The bio-tech sector lacks representation in various communities, including women, newcomers, Indigenous Canadians, and people with a disability. Host: Maggie John

Danielle Cadhit joins us to discuss her experience bringing a human-centred approach to investing in and empowering entrepreneurs. Danielle (Dane) Cadhit is a creative practitioner, futurist, and strategist passionate about systems design and transformation. She primarily impacts this space as the Director of Systems & Emergent Strategy at Coralus, a global community of changemakers working on initiatives, projects, and businesses practicing radical generosity in order to create a world that has humans thriving. Cadhit shares how Coralus has radicalized funding structures for women entrepreneurs, what it means to practice radical generosity, and why investment structures should strive to imitate nature.  Highlights from our conversation include: 1. Money is just one kind of capital. Entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, need access to social capital as well. 2. One of the most supportive moves investors can make is to not take equity in the companies they help launch.3. By making decision-makers more diverse and reflective of Canada’s population, we can make way for more unique and innovative ideas across Canada’s small business landscape. Hosts: Maggie John