Small Business | Big Insights (Eric Saumure)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Small Business | Big Insights
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 2023 | Improved marketing with real research (with David Coletto - Abacus Data) | 00:37:09 | |
Polls, surveys, and focus groups aren’t just for big business; small businesses can gain big insights and win a competitive edge. Diving into this topic, Eric interviews one of Canada’s best known and most respected pollsters, David Coletto. David is the Founder, Chair, and CEO of Abacus Data, a Canadian market research firm. He has a PhD in Political Science and is a professor at Carleton University. By discovering what your current and prospective customers really think, you can invest wisely into your marketing and growth strategy. Like David says, “good decisions require good data.” This episode is brought to you by Zenbooks.ca and IC360.ca
0:00 Introduction 0:42 David’s biography 2:00 Small businesses research 3:20 Practical examples 7:00 Invest in research before marketing 9:45 Gain a competitive edge 17:56 Brought to you by Zenbooks 18:40 Polling small communities 23:32 Power of persuasion 24:17 Merging business and academics 27:22 Small business principles— hospitality 29:27 Proudest accomplishment 31:46 Future of Abacus 35:45 Get connected 36:09 Brought to you by IC360 36:52 Next up
David Coletto Email: david@abacusdata.ca Resource Mentioned Setting the Table by Danny Meyer | |||
| 13 Aug 2023 | Evolving Beyond the Traditional Business Mindset (with Rob Dale - Rhapsody Strategies) | 00:44:18 | |
Self-awareness, the ability to adapt in times of uncertainty, and building trust with clients and team members are this episode's focus. Eric and guest Rob Dale explain thought-provoking topics that help business owners expand beyond the traditional business mindset. Rob is a master coach with Rhapsody Strategies, an award-winning coaching firm, who demonstrates his ability to inspire and motivate individuals to grow and live out their purpose. His "Living Richly" podcast, featuring weekly video talks, has garnered views from people in over 20 countries. Join us through his insights, where you’re encouraged to consider your personal alignment, purpose, and relationships as essential components of success in both life and business. This episode is brought to you by Zenbooks.ca and ic360.ca 0:00: Introduction 0:55: Rob Dale; Living Richly, Cigars & Scotch 3:03: Personal Connections and Business Life Balance 8:53: Personal Purpose Statement 12:07: Business Mindset 17:15: Culture Matters, People Matter, It’s a Business After All 20:00: Brought to you by Zenbooks 20:51: Facing Uncertainty 28:32: Building Trust through Authenticity 35:17: Rituals to Guide Oneself through Stress 39:48: Living Richly Podcast 43:15: IC360 Solution Sponsor 44:00: Next Episode
Living Richly Podcast: www.livingrichly.me Rhapsody Strategies: https://rhapsodystrategies.com/ Email: rob@rhapsodystrategies.com References
https://www.amazon.ca/21-Irrefutable-Laws-Leadership-Follow/dp/140 | |||
| 13 Aug 2023 | Secrets to Smart Revenue Growth (with Anastasia Valentine) | 00:40:52 | |
Today’s conversation is with accomplished technology leader Anastasia Valentine. Join me as she reveals her strategies for smart revenue growth for small business owners and entrepreneurs. We explore the pivotal roles of CROs and CMOs in aligning marketing and sales for business expansion as well as strategies for networking and building valuable connections using CRM tools . We dive into the realm of AI in content creation while emphasizing the balance of human touch and ethical practices. Anastasia imparts wisdom on setting achievable goals, optimizing work efficiency, and preventing burnout. Tune in for practical insights. This episode is brought to you by Zenbooks.ca and ic360.ca 0:00: Introduction 1:10: Anastasia Valentine 2:41: One Team Mentality 4:22: Tapping into your Network 6:17: Adding Value to Create Efficient Marketing and Sales Processes 8:03: Listen More, Talk Less - Incredible Customer Experiences 11:19: Canceling Hussle Culture 18:13: Brought to you by Zenbooks 19:21: The AI Assistant - Human vs Machine 26:45: Language Soup - Learning Languages for Kids 29:54: How and When to Hire a Fractional CRO or CMO 32:00: Creating Measurable Goals to Manage Stress 35:22: Choosing Each Other 36:37: Start-Ups and Scale Ups 39:45: IC360 Solution Sponsor 40:31: Next Episode Anastasia Valentine https://www.anastasiavalentine.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasiavalentine/ References
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| 14 Aug 2023 | Top Unexpected Recruiting and Retention Tactics (with James Baker - Keynote Search) | 00:44:37 | |
Small businesses can thrive by maximizing talent, fostering a dynamic culture, and adapting to the evolving business landscape. Eric, and guest James Baker discuss the challenges and opportunities that small businesses often overlook, from recruitment pitfalls to harnessing government grants, this podcast explores some unexpected tactics small businesses can use to optimize their operations and culture. James is the CEO and Co-Founder of Keynote Search, he boasts two decades of industry expertise and remarkable accolades along the way, like Fastest Growing Company by Globe and Mail and Forty under 40 to name a few. James emphasizes the importance of defining expectations, leveraging technology, and embracing remote work options. Discover practical strategies and actionable advice to propel your small business to new heights.
0:00: Introduction 1:11: James Baker 2:20: Recruiting in the past, not for the future 8:30: Fostering your small business narrative 10:30: The culture trap 12:50: Culture awareness 12:45: The hybrid work movement 19:05: Brought to you by Zenbooks 20:33: Poaching talent vs developing talent 22:22: Employee centric legislation 24:31: The good, the bad and the ugly 25:52: 80/20 recruitment rule 29:30: Changes in the war for talent 32:33: Mitigating the risk of turnover 34:46: Find, fit and stay; the employment placement journey 37:35: Investment structure 40:45: Controlling scale and retaining values 42:12: People are your best asset 43:35: Humani HR Sponsor 44:17: Next Episode James Barker James@keynotesearch.com | |||
| 14 Aug 2023 | Top Tactical Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses (with Riaz Sidi from Sidi.io) | 00:48:23 | |
Join me with guest Riaz Sidi from Sidi.io, a distinguished sales and marketing leader, sharing game-changing insights from his 20+ years of experience as he champions collaboration over competition and unveils the secrets of customer engagement. In this episode we explore the core pillars of business success from revenue generation, sales finesse, and marketing brilliance. Riaz emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation, likening it to igniting a spark before launching a marketing campaign. Discover the art of diversification and adaptability in an ever-changing market. Riaz advocates authentic self-presentation, while harnessing AI and automation to elevate efficiency and customer experiences. Embrace the journey, and let Riaz light the way to unconventional success strategies. 0:00: Introduction 1:11: Riaz Sidi 2:17: Overlooking the fundamentals 6:05: Playing the short game only 9:41: Being real and having fun 12:20: Collaboration is key 14:52: Brought to you by Zenbooks 15:45: Harnessing AI to maintain rates during inflation 18:42: Blue Ocean strategy 21:54: Embracing AI for better outcomes 23:36: Education, entertainment and enlightenment 29:14: Building your own ecosystem 34:00: Water cooler culture 36:11: Get off the roller coaster 40:21: Balancing work and family; getting out what you put in 42:08: Keeping the honeymoon alive 47:17: Humani HR Sponsor 48:00: Next Episode
https://www.linkedin.com/in/riazsidi/ References Blue Ocean Strategy Your Next Five Moves Spin Selling Building a StoryBrand Unreasonable Hospitality | |||
| 15 Sep 2023 | Are you missing out on M&A Opportunities? (with Colleen Kelley from Stratford Group) | 00:45:38 | |
Mastering mergers & acquisitions for small businesses, join me with guest Colleen Kelley president at Stratford Group. In this episode we explore the strategic reasons why small and medium-sized businesses should consider acquisitions. Colleen specializes in business scale-up, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and integrations. Colleen shares a comprehensive overview of M&A strategies, financial considerations, due diligence processes, key industry players, and integration challenges for small and medium-sized businesses. Don't miss out on your M&A opportunities. This episode is brought to you by Zenbooks.ca and humanihr.com 0:00:Introduction 1:13:Colleen Kelley 2:30: M&A, A Strategic Lever for Growth 6:50:Show Me The Money 10:24:4 Step Buying Process 13:11:Avoiding Deal Fever 18:08:Who’s Who in the Industry 23:06:Brought to you by Zenbooks 24:32:Finding Businesses to Buy 26:49:Understanding Valuation 28:48:Data Room 33:06:Accelerating Growth Curve 36:30:Educate Yourself 38:25:Buyers and Sellers 40:35:Rewarding Career Path 42:20:Knowing your Long Term Goals 44:56:Humani HR Sponsor Colleen Kelley colleen.kelley@stratford.group https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenkelley99/ References Complementary business assessment and valuation. https://score.valuebuildersystem.com/stratford-group/colleen-kelley | |||
| 15 Oct 2023 | Exclusive advantages for LGBT friendly businesses (with Darrell Schuurman from CGLCC) | 00:42:30 | |
Understanding the intersection and dynamics of the 2SLGBTQI+ and business community. Join me with guest Darrell Schuurman co-founder and CEO of the CGLCC, Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce as we explore questions that many small business owners have as it relates to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. In this episode we talk about how all businesses can do their part to recognize, include and collaborate with diverse groups in their communities. Darrell also touches on advocating for the economic empowerment of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. This episode is brought to you by Zenbooks.ca and emdashagency.ca 0:00Introduction 1:44Darrell Schuurman 3:33Filling the Gaps 5:04Community Evolution 7:17Supplier Diversity 14:02Overcoming Challenges & Barriers 18:21Brought to you by Zenbooks 19:232SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program 23:43How to be an Inclusive Organization 26:35Rainbow Registered Accreditation 31:27Equal Access & Opportunities 34:18Small Wins Fuel Fires 38:03Black and White Gala 2023 38:38Collaboration for Future Growth 41:40Emdash Sponsor 42:14Next Episode Teaser Darrell Schuurman https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-schuurman/ https://twitter.com/DSchuurman References Black and White Gala ticket sales; https://cglcc.ca/events/cglcc-8th-annual-black-white-gala-2023/ Emdash | |||
| 15 Nov 2023 | Pragmatic view to people management (with Andrea Bartlett) | 00:55:02 | |
Managing people for YOUR small business, join me with guest Andrea Bartlett, she has been Vice-President of People at Humi for 3 years. In this episode we talk in depth about how you can make sure that HR plays a pivotal role in nurturing your workplace and foster great employee experiences. Andrea has great tactical advice and real-world examples to help you enhance your Employee Experience and onboarding processes. This episode is brought to you by Zenbooks.ca and emdashagency.ca
0:00 Introduction 2:15 Andrea Bartlett 3:35 Employee Experience Explained 7:45 Communication is Key 11:49 Onboarding Mistakes to Avoid 16:47 Measuring Experience Goals 21:38 Recruitment Process Investment 26:01 Personal Touch 32:04 The Humi Differentiation 34:25 Brought to you by Zenbooks 35:47 People & Profitability Balance 41:10 Metrics Trap 44:17 Caring without Carrying 48:21 Understanding your Business 50:52 Building in the HR Space 54:21 Emdash Sponsor 54:55 Next Episode Teaser
Andrea Bartlett https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreabartlett/
References Muriel Wilkins https://hbr.org/2020/12/podcast-coaching-real-leaders Emdash
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| 15 Dec 2023 | Using emotions to improve team performance (with Ange MacCabe from Intuity Performance) | 00:40:18 | |
In this episode our guest, Ange unpacks the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and its multi-dimensional influence on interactions within teams. Emotionally intelligent leadership is revealed as a catalyst for trust, collaboration, and innovation, fostering a culture that drives small business success.
Small business owners are offered practical strategies to harness the power of emotions, bolster team cohesion, and maximize productivity. Self-awareness emerges as a pivotal factor, underlining the importance of recognizing one's emotions in nurturing emotional intelligence. Additionally, the discussion touches on the significance of emotional resilience in overcoming challenges and setbacks.
Ange provides insights into tools and techniques for assessing and improving EI within teams, citing real-world success stories to inspire businesses looking to transform their cultures.
As the episode concludes, Ange leaves listeners with the encouragement to embrace emotional intelligence as a growth accelerator, offering a fresh perspective on leadership and team dynamics. Don't miss this insightful journey into the role of emotions in small business success on "Small Business Big Insights.
This episode is brought to you by Zenbooks.ca and Emdash
00:00 - 00:20 Introduction The transcription begins with an introduction, setting the stage for the conversation about emotional intelligence, leadership, and personal development.
00:20 - 00:23:54 Emotional Intelligence Overview (Ange) Ange discusses emotional intelligence (EI), mentioning that it consists of four quadrants and has subcategories. They emphasize the importance of understanding EI and mention that it can be developed by up to 20% in one year.
00:23:54 - 00:25:16 Application of Emotional Intelligence (Eric) Eric acknowledges the quantification of EI growth and discusses how EI development can benefit personal life, not just the workplace.
00:25:16 - 00:26:55 Whole Person Performance (Ange) Ange emphasizes the concept of whole person performance, highlighting that personal and professional aspects are interconnected.
00:26:55 - 00:28:49 Developing Teams with EI (Eric) Eric asks about developing teams using emotional intelligence, leading to Ange's explanation of the role of leaders in promoting EI and the importance of celebrating small wins.
00:28:49 - 00:30:07 Impact of EI on Addiction (Ange) The discussion shifts to the relationship between emotional intelligence and addiction, with Ange explaining how low EI and self-esteem can contribute to addiction.
00:30:07 - 00:32:02 Coaching vs. Therapy (Eric) Eric inquires about the difference between coaching and therapy, leading to Ange discussing their approaches. They highlight that coaching focuses on assisting individuals in setting and achieving goals.
00:32:02 - 00:33:20 Starting a Coaching Practice (Ange) Ange shares their experience of starting a coaching practice shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic and how the shift to online coaching brought unexpected opportunities.
00:33:20 - 00:35:00 Future Projects (Eric) Eric asks about Ange's future projects, leading to a discussion of their plans for scaling the coaching practice and creating an AI emotionally intelligent coach.
00:35:00 - 00:35:47 Leadership Cohorts (Ange) Ange introduces leadership cohorts designed to help individuals at various stages of their leadership journey.
00:35:47 - 00:36:57 The Importance of EI (Eric) Eric asks if there are any other important aspects to discuss, prompting Ange to stress that every organization, regardless of size, can benefit from implementing emotional intelligence practic | |||
| 15 Jan 2024 | Wealthsimple’s radical employee experience (with Gren Austin from Wealthsimple) | 00:40:44 | |
Employee retention is crucial for small businesses, and providing benefits to alleviate financial worries can be instrumental in avoiding turnover. Gren Austin serves as the Head of Wealthsimple Work, overseeing the day-to-day operations of Wealthsimple's Group Retirement Business. In a conversation with Eric, Gren delves into the distinctions between group pensions and RSPs, emphasizes a client-first approach, and highlights the diverse range of services that Wealthsimple offers. | |||
| 15 Feb 2024 | Unlocking Small Business Potential with IT (With Jeremy Irving from IC360) | 00:45:07 | |
Small businesses should not shy away from new technology, but rather use it as a secret tool to drive employee and customer satisfaction and engagement. Jeremy Irving is the Managing Director and Senior Technical Analyst of IC 360 Solutions, a technology firm that helps small businesses. He is also a certified PMP (project management professional) and a cloud technology and digital transformation expert, with over twenty years of hands-on IT experience. Today, he shares his insights on cybersecurity, ChatGPT, Microsoft versus G-Suite, his personal views on work-life balance, and much more. | |||
| 15 Mar 2024 | Unlocking Business Success: How a Punk Rock Lawyer Turned Startup Guru is Transforming 125,000 Businesses(Shane Murphy from Ownr) | 00:41:00 | |
Starting a small business involves various legal considerations, many of which can be conveniently addressed online. Shane Murphy, the CEO of Ownr, brings a legal background to the table and shares his entrepreneurial journey, including successfully starting and later having his business acquired by its major competitor. Ownr, an all-in-one platform, has assisted more than 125,000 small businesses in their initial stages by facilitating tasks such as registration and incorporation and provides ongoing support for routine legal needs. Scaling up your “side hustle’ and making your business ideas official doesn't need to be excessively costly or complex. | |||
| 15 Apr 2024 | Secrets to Building a Team That Fuels Your Success: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know!(With Zach Montroy from The Intention Collective) | 00:36:37 | |
Growing and scaling a small business takes strategy, innovation, and above all, great leadership. Zach Montroy, the Founder & CEO of The Intention Collective—a group of consultants specializing in small business growth and scaling—is a Harvard-educated strategist focusing on organizational psychology and development. In this lively discussion, they delve into team motivation, vision, values, goals, and systems. In an unpredictable world, like during the COVID-19 pandemic, how often should you revisit your business strategy? Zach suggests it’s helpful to have no more than four values and to continually build trust internally within your team. He also emphasizes the value of personal coaching and therapy, sharing insights from his own entrepreneurial journey. | |||
| 15 May 2024 | From Obscurity to Icon: Unveiling Secrets to Crafting a Memorable Small Business Brand (With Robert Smith from Greenmelon) | 00:45:51 | |
What are the key attributes of a polished brand? To tackle this question, Eric invites Robert Smith for an insightful conversation on branding. Robert, a branding expert, Adjunct Professor, author, and Chief Creative Officer at Greenmelon Inc, has a wealth of experience in crafting successful brand identities. Having worked with numerous major companies in Canada, Robert prioritizes frequency, consistency, and quality in his approach. He shares invaluable tips and advice tailored for small businesses venturing into brand building. Throughout their discussion, they delve into topics such as logos, timelines, competition, creativity, and AI. 0:00 Intro 1:00 Conversation begins 3:40 Remove “like" 5:00 Frequency, consistency, quality 10:44 Outsourcing branding and consulting 13:45 Budget and commitment 16:35 The issue with AI 21:00 When to invest in branding 25:18 Lasting logos 27:40 Competition, disruption, colors 30:30 Value of branding 36:40 Stop Looking For Zebras 40:10 Creativity 42:40 What’s next 44:02 Get connected Robert Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/greenmelonrobert/ Stop Looking for Zebras https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stop-looking-for-zebras-robert-b-smith/1144315674 | |||
| 15 Jun 2024 | Avoiding Common Financial Mistakes: Pro Tips from a Seasoned Planner (With Alex Hadjisophocleous from Forest Financial Planning) | 00:45:18 | |
Alex Hadjisophocleous is a fee-only/advice-only financial planner at Forest Financial Planning Inc., helping individuals and business owners grow wealth through financial literacy. His unbiased advice is a refreshing contrast to financial advisors who charge substantial annual fees, particularly in Canada. In this episode, he shares a wealth of financial wisdom, including tips on insurance, paying installments, and how to withdraw a salary or pay yourself in a small business. He also shares his insights on the future direction of the financial planning industry.
0:00 Intro 0:55 Conversation begins 4:50 Financial advice to small business owner 12:00 Strategies to grow a business 22:35 Debt, Loans, Investing 25:00 Planning for an unpredictable future 29:15 Trajectory of financial service industry 32:30 Financial education 38:05 Alex’s course “Simplify and Grow” 41:20 Closing Advice
Alex Hadjisophocleous · https://forestfinancialplanning.ca/ · https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hadjisophocleous-cfa-cfp-mba-b24aaa57/
Resource Mentioned · https://onfe-rope.ca/our-work/ottawa-volunteers-in-education/ | |||
| 15 Jul 2024 | Mastering Business Acquisitions and Roll-Ups with Brian L. Shields | 00:43:27 | |
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of business acquisitions with Brian Lee Shields, a seasoned business development and acquisition expert based in LA. With 15 years of experience, Brian has a rich background in private equity and has been involved in over $4 billion worth of investments across more than 15 industries. Listeners will gain valuable insights into business restructuring, turnaround strategies, and managing burnout. Brian and Eric cover a range of crucial topics including:
Brian also shares practical advice for first-time business buyers, emphasizing the importance of:
Tune in to learn from Brian's extensive experience and gain actionable tips to help you succeed in the world of business acquisitions. | |||
| 15 Aug 2024 | Leadership and Innovation in Payroll: Interview with Wagepoint CEO Shrad Rao | 00:48:45 | |
Shrad Rao is the CEO of Wagepoint, a payroll software designed for small businesses in Canada. The company, known for its friendly team, aims to make payroll simpler and less intimidating. Wagepoint serves over 25,000 customers and processes payroll for more than 200,000 employees each month. Under Shrad’s leadership, the company has grown to over 100 employees and is committed to diversity and inclusion. Shrad prioritizes a human-first approach and focuses on finding smarter solutions rather than working harder. He dismisses the concept of a "bias for action" and remains focused on customer needs and solving problems, without getting distracted by competition or trends in the marketplace. | |||
| 15 Sep 2024 | Pitfalls and opportunities of world class SaaS Businesses (Drew Millington from Nmbr) | 00:41:01 | |
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| 15 Oct 2024 | From Flour to Power: The Surprising Strategy That's Revolutionizing the Bakery Industry with Kayla Rochkin at Bond Bakery Brands | 00:37:59 | |
In this episode, Eric interviews Kayla Rochkin, the Chief Growth Officer at Bond Bakery Brands. Bond acquires family and founder-run bakeries without succession plans, helping them continue their legacy. Kayla dishes on everything from keeping quality top-notch to building a company culture that’s as warm and welcoming as fresh bread. She also shares tips on getting that B Corp certification and how to balance profits with purpose. | |||