Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how businesses can move beyond AI experimentation to build connected systems that truly enhance customer experience.

Joining us is Mitch Lieberman, VP of Product, Fuel iX at TELUS Digital. Mitch shares how aligning AI, data, and strategy helps brands win critical moments in the customer journey.

Key Highlights

1. AI and Customer Journey: Mitch explains how AI is reshaping key customer interactions.
2. Fuel iX Platform: Mitch shares how orchestration turns AI tools into unified systems.
3. AI for SMEs: Mitch highlights how smaller businesses can adopt AI without complexity.
4. Measuring CX Impact: Mitch discusses the metrics that truly reflect customer experience improvements.
5. Connected AI Strategy: Mitch explains how to move from fragmented tools to a cohesive approach.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how building the right network and mindset can shape the future of entrepreneurship.

Joining us is Philip Bliss, Founder and CEO of Canada’s Entrepreneur. Philip shares how strategic thinking, community, and execution frameworks drive real business growth.

Key Highlights

1. Scaling Mindset: Philip explains what separates founders who grow from those who stall.
2. Stop Think Focus Execute: Philip shares why clarity and focus are critical for success.
3. AI for Growth: Philip highlights how entrepreneurs can use AI strategically.
4. Power of Community: Philip explains why purpose-driven networks outperform traditional ones.
5. Scaling a Service: Philip outlines the first step to turning services into scalable products.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore why rising cybersecurity investments are not translating into stronger protection and what businesses must do differently.

Joining us is Ivo Wiens, Field Chief Technology Officer for Cybersecurity at CDW Canada. Ivo shares how organizations can close the gap between spending and real security outcomes.

Key Highlights

1. Rising Threats: Ivo explains the key drivers behind increasing cyberattacks.
2. AI in Cybercrime: Ivo highlights how AI is making threats more advanced and scalable.
3. Maturity Gap: Ivo shares the critical gaps limiting effective cybersecurity.
4. Spending Paradox: Ivo explains why higher budgets do not guarantee better protection.
5. Future Readiness: Ivo outlines how businesses should prepare for upcoming threats.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how operational discipline and supply chain clarity are becoming the real drivers of sustainable growth.

Joining us is Parth Davé, Founder and CEO of NexaFlux Inc. Parth shares how businesses can move from reactive chaos to structured, predictable operations.

Key Highlights

1. Scaling Signals: Parth explains how to identify when systems can no longer support growth.
2. Cost of Poor Coordination: Parth highlights how inefficiencies silently erode margins.
3. From Chaos to Control: Parth shares how to build predictable operating rhythms.
4. Supply Chain Gaps: Parth explains common hidden issues uncovered through diagnostics.
5. Scaling Safely: Parth outlines the top priority for maintaining control while growing.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how local economies are evolving and why strong community connections are becoming the foundation of business growth.

Joining us is Karisa Marra, Head of Sales and Business Expert at Square Canada. Karisa shares how businesses can adapt to changing consumer behavior by focusing on relationships, value, and seamless experiences.

Key Highlights

1. Neighbourhood Growth: Karisa explains how local networks fuel economic resilience.
2. Value Over Volume: Karisa shares how businesses can win with intentional spending habits.
3. The Regular Effect: Karisa highlights why loyal customers drive long term success.
4. Tech for Convenience: Karisa discusses tools that improve customer experience and operations.
5. Future Outlook: Karisa outlines what lies ahead for Canada’s local economies.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how physical retail spaces can become powerful drivers of customer experience and business growth.

Joining us is Ani Nersessian, Founder and Creative Director of VM ID Inc. Ani shares how thoughtful visual merchandising can transform stores into high-performing environments.

Key Highlights

1. Power of Store Design: Ani explains how retail spaces directly influence customer behavior.
2. Common Mistakes: Ani shares quick fixes for visual merchandising errors.
3. Budget Optimization: Ani highlights how to improve stores with limited resources.
4. Choosing Support: Ani explains how to select the right merchandising approach.
5. Customer Experience: Ani shares simple changes that create memorable in-store moments.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore how businesses can move from talking about AI to actually embedding it into daily operations for real impact.

Joining us is Bradley Collins, Founder of Elevates Coaching and creator of EAIOS. Bradley shares how aligning people, systems, and strategy turns AI into a true growth engine.

Key Highlights

1. Beyond Tools: Bradley explains why building an AI system matters more than using isolated tools.
2. Human Barrier: Bradley highlights why mindset and team adoption are the biggest challenges.
3. EAIOS Framework: Bradley shares how small teams can implement AI without deep technical skills.
4. Coaching Driven Adoption: Bradley explains how leadership coaching accelerates real AI usage.
5. From Curious to Operational: Bradley outlines how founders can achieve quick, measurable results.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how AI is shifting from experimentation to execution and becoming a core part of everyday business operations.

Joining us is Žilvinas Girėnas, Head of Product at nexos.ai. With deep expertise in NLP and agentic workflows, Žilvinas shares how lean teams can unlock real productivity using AI.

Key Highlights

1. Immediate AI Value: Žilvinas explains how SMEs can start using AI without large teams or budgets.
2. AI as a Multiplier: Žilvinas shares why AI empowers generalists to perform at a higher level.
3. From Tools to Workflows: Žilvinas discusses how to turn AI into repeatable business processes.
4. Early Use Cases: Žilvinas highlights the most impactful starting points for AI adoption.
5. Scaling Without Hiring: Žilvinas explains how AI helps businesses grow output without adding headcount.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx

For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!

To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.