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In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Mike Mack, founder of X5 Management, to unpack the highs, lows, and lessons of building a successful executive coaching and training business over nearly two decades. We talk about: •How Mike made the leap from a corporate job to entrepreneurship •Scaling from a solo consultant to a thriving 9-person team •Why resilience is the most critical trait for any entrepreneur •Client growth tips and relationship-building strategies that work •The importance of saying “no” to the wrong opportunities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, where networking often happens through clicks and likes, the art of genuine relationship building is more critical than ever. Yet, in business development and sales, it’s becoming a lost skill. In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Steve Elliott, a business development guru who has mastered the long game of authentic connections. Steve shares his secrets on: How to build trust quickly in a fast-moving digital landscapeThe long-term habits that keep you top-of-mind in your industryWhy face-to-face relationships still matter in B2B salesThe power of follow-ups, personal touchpoints, and remembering key details Whether you’re an aspiring sales professional or a seasoned business developer, this conversation is packed with strategies to help you build and maintain high-value professional relationships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Kelly Kennedy, founder of Capital Business Development and host of the successful Business Development Podcast. We'll explore the evolving landscape of personal branding as we head into 2025. Kelly shares his journey from reluctant car salesman to influential business development expert, discussing how authenticity, vulnerability, and strategic relationship-building were key to his success. We chat about the power of personal branding, the challenges of content creation, and how to stand out in an AI-saturated world by embracing genuine human connection. Kelly's insights on leveraging LinkedIn, balancing authenticity with professionalism, and sustaining long-term content strategies will inspire and empower you to build a brand that truly resonates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Chad Jenkins, a successful entrepreneur who has started and grown over 35 businesses. Chad shares his journey from growing up on a farm to becoming a leader in business innovation and collaboration. Learn how Chad leveraged his curiosity to create value, the lessons he learned from early ventures, and why collaboration is key to overcoming obstacles. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Chad’s insights on business growth, innovation, and mindset will inspire you to take your business to the next level. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of "This Professional Life", we dive into the overlooked dimensions of artificial intelligence, where we explore the hidden layers of AI's impact on society, regulations, and environmental concerns. We attempt to uncover the intricate web of artificial intelligence beyond its technological marvels, focusing on the pressing need for comprehensive AI regulation, the environmental footprint of AI related computing centers, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and the profound implications of data usage and privacy. This episode sheds light on the critical conversations we need to have about AI's role in our future, urging a balanced approach to its development and application. Thank you to Daniel Stanley of Future Narratives Labs futurenarrativeslab.org and The Joseph Rowntree Foundation for commissioning the article from Dan https://www.jrf.org.uk/ai-for-public-good/what-we-dont-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the mind of Shawn Kanungo, a master strategist, author of "The Bold Ones", and innovation expert. Shawn shares his insights on how to emulate the disruptive tactics of history's most influential figures, from Drake to Elon Musk, and apply them to your own business endeavors. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to shake up your industry or an intrapreneur aiming to innovate from within, this conversation is packed with actionable advice, personal anecdotes from Shawn's journey, and a roadmap for creating your own disruption. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sat down with Leah Tolton, an accomplished lawyer, entrepreneur, and Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), as she shared her unique journey from a rural upbringing to a thriving legal career. In this episode, Leah delves into the challenges and rewards of corporate law, the significance of building strong professional relationships, and the importance of lifelong learning. Her experiences in navigating family-run businesses, managing high-profile clients, and balancing personal and professional growth offer valuable lessons for professionals like lawyers, accountants, and financial planners. Gather insights, practical advice, and inspiration for professionals looking to advance their careers and grow their practice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of This Professional Life Podcast, host Chris Yeung interviews Lynette Tremblay, former COO of Invest Alberta and co-founder of The Mythifying Brand, about personal branding. They discuss how personal brands intersect with corporate brands, why organizations should encourage employees to develop their personal brands, strategies for building your brand within a company, using social media and websites for branding, and myths around personal branding. Lynette shares insights from her experience and a new podcast focused on helping people create an authentic personal brand aligned with their purpose and values. Key topics covered include aligning your brand with company culture, telling compelling stories on social media, practicing self-reflection to uncover your "why", and embracing all aspects of your identity in your brand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lynette Tremblay, former COO of Invest Alberta, shares insights on economic development strategies for cities, states, and countries looking to attract business investment. In this episode, we chat about a few topics: The importance of talent attraction and retention policies that focus on company culture and values rather than treating people like commoditiesDiversifying Alberta's energy sector into renewable energy, clean tech, hydrogen, carbon capture, and critical mineralsLeveraging Alberta's expertise in sustainable resource development to provide emissions reduction solutions globallyAg tech innovations happening in Alberta like meat packaging technology to keep meat fresh for 2 years and plant-based proteinsThe concept of circular economy and the symbiotic relationships between companies reusing each other's waste and byproductsThe value of targeted strategic partnerships that align with a region's authentic strengths and specializationsCool innovations Lynette has seen like stingless bees, mushroom protein mimicking meat, and unexpected partnerships between Alberta and BrazilThe need for better storytelling to inspire youth, retain talent, and shift outdated perceptions of Alberta Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me on This Professional Life's Season 3 Episode 1 podcast as I explore Alberta's emerging tech scene and its rapid transformation from an energy-focused province to a global tech hub. With a forecasted $20 billion spend on digital transformation by 2024, record-breaking venture capital investments, and cities like Edmonton leading in AI research, Alberta is on the tech world's radar. I invited special guest Michael Grantmyre of Oslers, a national law firm in Canada, to share his perspectives and insights on this maturing tech industry in Alberta. Michael is a Partner at Oslers and leads their emerging growth and technology practice group in Alberta. He is often on the front lines helping entrepreneurs turn their visions into commercial reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we sit down with Matthew Burgoyne, Partner at law firm Oslers, and co-lead of their digital assets and blockchain practice group. We chat all things law and crypto related, as well as their office's newly built SkyHub, an incubator type space for their startup clients. As we plunge into the middle of 2023, the world of cryptocurrency is experiencing several intriguing trends. One of the most significant is the increasing institutional acceptance of digital assets, with an influx of major corporations, banks, and even countries integrating cryptocurrency into their operations. Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, is another hotspot, revolutionizing traditional financial systems by enabling peer-to-peer transactions and eliminating the need for intermediaries. With NFTs (Non-fungible tokens), we are seeing an unprecedented melding of the arts and digital finance, creating a whole new avenue for artists and creators to monetize their work. Finally, amidst the rising concern for the environmental impact of crypto mining, "green cryptos" have surged to the forefront, pushing for sustainable solutions in blockchain technologies. These trends signal not only the maturation of the crypto space, but also the increasing interplay between cryptocurrencies and the broader socio-economic landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RJ Cui grew up in an Asian family household where career choices like film and media were often frowned upon. Traditional careers like medicine, dentistry, and law were more in line with expectations from a generation of parents where status and higher education took priority over passion. None the less, RJ found a way to harness his creativity and channel his passion for music and film production into a successful media production company. On this episode of This Professional Life, we chat with RJ Cui, CEO of PlanIt Sound, a media production company in Edmonton, AB, Canada, about his journey to success and his insights into the future of media production. PlanIt Sound has created amazing marketing campaigns for an impressive list of clients. Most recently, he was part of the production team working with ESPN on a documentary about a basketball team bringing together the world’s best Indian-origin players to compete in ESPN's TBT basketball tournament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Bennett is the co-founder and co-owner of Lifted, a video and music production company in Colorado that he runs with his wife to create brand films and online marketing campaigns for small and medium sized businesses. Growing up, Ian was always surrounded by family and other friends that were very business oriented and he points to that as influencing his decision to be an entrepreneur. One of his first jobs was in sales, and he credits some of his earlier experience with giving him the confidence and skill set to strike out on his own. The episode dives into the journey of how Ian and his wife started Lifted, including the mindset he has developed to drive his success forward. Ian also shares some of his insights into the future of digital content production in the face of growing AI tools in the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Step inside the world of Timothy Wingate Jr, a highly esteemed accountant and business owner from West Palm Beach, Florida, in our latest This Professional Life podcast interview. Timothy generously shares his journey in building a thriving accounting firm and how he continues to navigate the challenging waters of financial management. Timothy Wingate Jr.'s firm, services a diverse range of clients, is recognized for its excellence and unwavering commitment to financial integrity in the construction industry in West Palm Beach, Florida. This video offers an exclusive look into Timothy's unique approach to accountancy that has contributed to his firm's robust growth. We did this interview not just for aspiring accountants; but for anyone seeking to understand the importance of mindset, learning from different perspectives, and the approach to niching down your business focus to amplify success. Timothy discusses the nuances of accounting and reveals his recipe for building a successful accounting firm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us on This Professional Life Podcast episode 12 as we dive deep into the world of business development. This episode is for entrepreneurs, executives and business professionals who are looking for better ways to leverage business development professionals to scale their businesses and outpace the competition. We sit down with Angelo Talamayan, Senior Business Development Manager at MNP, one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in Canada. Angelo chats about some of his best practices, as well as some of the successful initiatives he has launched at MNP that has led to revenue growth, fostering strategic partnerships, and expanding MNP's market share. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.