Podcast appearances and mentions of alex norman

In this episode of The Real State Podcast, we dive into the high-stakes world of transitional lending—the financial glue that keeps real estate projects moving forward. Our guest, Ian Glaser, partner at BridgeInvest, shares how private lending is fueling Miami's booming skyline and beyond, financing everything from adaptive reuse projects to large-scale mixed-use developments. Join hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond as they explore: How transitional lending unlocks new development opportunities The rise of adaptive reuse—turning vacant malls, old hotels, and outdated office buildings into vibrant new spaces Why banks are stepping back and private lenders are stepping in The housing shortage crisis and how financing can help solve it With insightful stories, expert insights, and a touch of humor, this episode unpacks the power of private real estate lending and its impact on communities across the U.S. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify for more deep dives into real estate trends that shape our everyday lives! #RealEstate #TransitionalLending #Finance #MiamiRealEstate #AdaptiveReuse #UrbanDevelopment

Today we're diving into a critical yet sometimes overlooked component that powers so many of the devices we rely on: batteries. Batteries are the heartbeat of countless electronic products, from medical devices and electric vehicles to consumer gadgets and industrial systems.  Choosing the right battery is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires a keen understanding of the application, performance needs, and environmental demands. The right selection can make the difference between a product that excels in reliability and one that, quite literally, fails to deliver.  But there's more to batteries than just selecting the right chemistry or capacity. Safety is paramount. Poor battery selection, design, or management can lead to performance issues, overheating, or catastrophic failures. As we've all seen in headlines, battery malfunctions can result in recalls, damage to brand reputation, or, worse, safety hazards for users.   To shed light on this vital topic, we're joined by an expert in the field of battery technology. Alex Norman is a Battery Management System Designer at Pro Technologies, a well-established and trusted custom battery pack manufacturer, providing engineering capabilities from concept through production. Their leading-edge manufacturing facility and headquarters is based in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina.   Alex has deep experience in Printed Circuit Board Design, Product Development, Battery Management Systems and more. Alex is also a content creator, focusing mostly on electronics, battery, and BMS content available on his LinkedIn page and YouTube channel. Today, we're going to explore how to choose the right battery for your assembly, best practices for integration, and how to mitigate potential safety risks.   So, if you care about keeping your products powered, reliable, and safe, don't bolt just yet – this podcast on batteries is positively charged with insights! Stick around and top off your battery knowledge! Chapters: 00:00:00 Choosing the Right Battery for Electronic Assemblies 00:02:44 Exploring Battery Technology and Safety Concerns 00:05:21 Starting a YouTube Channel: Journey and Growth 00:07:55 Performance and Safety: Alkaline vs. Lithium-Based Batteries 00:10:28 The Future of Sodium-Ion Batteries vs. Lithium-Ion 00:13:12 Causes of Samsung Phone Battery Fires 00:16:01 Advancements in Solid State Battery Technology 00:18:44 Dangers of Swollen Lithium Batteries and Battery Safety 00:21:19 Battery Charging Myths and Optimization Techniques 00:24:04 Importance of Battery Management Systems (BMS) 00:26:51 Primary vs. Secondary Batteries Explained 00:29:28 Comparing Performance: Alkaline vs Rechargeable Batteries 00:32:11 Impact of Temperature on Battery Performance 00:34:51 Optimizing Battery Performance in Extreme Cold 00:37:28 Lead Acid vs. Lithium Iron Phosphate: Battery Safety and Advancements 00:39:56 Optimizing Battery Performance in Electric Cars 00:42:36 Advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate Cells   00:45:24 Battery Regulations Impact and Safety Standards 00:48:05 Battery Safety and Standards in Consumer Electronics 00:50:49 Quality and Safety in Consumer Vs. Industrial Battery Cells 00:53:25 The Importance of Proper Battery Recycling 00:56:05 Lithium Iron Phosphate vs. Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries 00:59:51 Humor and Technology: Creating Engaging Content

Today we're diving into a critical yet sometimes overlooked component that powers so many of the devices we rely on: batteries. Batteries are the heartbeat of countless electronic products, from medical devices and electric vehicles to consumer gadgets and industrial systems. Choosing the right battery is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires a keen understanding of the application, performance needs, and environmental demands. The right selection can make the difference between a product that excels in reliability and one that, quite literally, fails to deliver.  But there's more to batteries than just selecting the right chemistry or capacity. Safety is paramount. Poor battery selection, design, or management can lead to performance issues, overheating, or catastrophic failures. As we've all seen in headlines, battery malfunctions can result in recalls, damage to brand reputation, or, worse, safety hazards for users.  To shed light on this vital topic, we're joined by an expert in the field of battery technology. Alex Norman is a Battery Management System Designer at Pro Technologies, a well-established and trusted custom battery pack manufacturer, providing engineering capabilities from concept through production. Their leading edge manufacturing facility and headquarters is based in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. Alex has deep experience in Printed Circuit Board Design, Product Development, Battery Management Systems and more. Alex is also a content creator, focusing mostly on electronics, battery, and BMS content available on his LinkedIn page and YouTube channel.Today, we're going to explore how to choose the right battery for your assembly, best practices for integration, and how to mitigate potential safety risks.  So, if you care about keeping your products powered, reliable, and safe, don't bolt just yet – this podcast on batteries is positively charged with insights! Stick around and top off your battery knowledge!Alex's Contact Info:Alex Normananorman@eetengineer.comProTechnologies, Inc.http://protechnologies.comAlex's YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@eetengineerChapters:00:00:00 Choosing the Right Battery for Electronic Assemblies00:02:44 Exploring Battery Technology and Safety Concerns00:05:21 Starting a YouTube Channel: Journey and Growth00:07:55 Performance and Safety: Alkaline vs. Lithium-Based Batteries00:10:28 The Future of Sodium-Ion Batteries vs. Lithium-Ion00:13:12 Causes of Samsung Phone Battery Fires00:16:01 Advancements in Solid State Battery Technology00:18:44 Dangers of Swollen Lithium Batteries and Battery Safety00:21:19 Battery Charging Myths and Optimization Techniques00:24:04 Importance of Battery Management Systems (BMS)00:26:51 Primary vs. Secondary Batteries Explained00:29:28 Comparing Performance: Alkaline vs Rechargeable Batteries00:32:11 Impact of Temperature on Battery Performance00:34:51 Optimizing Battery Performance in Extreme Cold00:37:28 Lead Acid vs. Lithium Iron Phosphate: Battery Safety and Advancements00:39:56 Optimizing Battery Performance in Electric Cars00:42:36 Advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate Cells  00:45:24 Battery Regulations Impact and Safety Standards00:48:05 Battery Safety and Standards in Consumer Electronics00:50:49 Quality and Safety in Consumer Vs. Industrial Battery Cells00:53:25 The Importance of Proper Battery Recycling00:56:05 Lithium Iron Phosphate vs. Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries00:59:51 Humor and Technology: Creating Engaging Content01:01:10 Get Involved with Reliability Matters Podcast

The Real State Podcast – Miami Weather: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Looking for an entertaining and insightful take on real estate, urban living, and how it all affects your daily life? The Real State Podcast is your go-to destination for the latest trends in real estate, city living, and everything in between! In this episode, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond dive into the unpredictable drama that is Miami weather—from endless sunshine and tropical breezes to hurricane scares and flooding streets. Whether you're a lifelong Miamian or a new arrival, you'll relate to the highs and lows of living in the Magic City. Key topics in this episode: The perks of Miami weather – no winter, year-round warmth, and why it's better than LA. The not-so-great parts – humidity, freezing indoor A/C, and unpredictable rainstorms. The ugly truth – hurricanes, mandatory evacuation zones, and what it's like to prepare for the big one. Why people from New York, Chicago, and even South America flock to Miami year-round. The real reason everyone wears shorts in Miami (hint: it's not just for comfort). Tune in for a funny, engaging, and brutally honest take on Miami's climate and why, despite all its quirks, people keep coming back for more. Visit TheRealState.co for more episodes and to share your thoughts! Love the show? Don't forget to leave a rating & review—it helps more listeners find us!

In this episode of The Real State Podcast, "Senior Living Redefined: Brandon Schwab on the Future of Compassionate Care", hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blonde explore the evolving landscape of senior living with Brandon Schwab, founder and CEO of Shepherd Premier Senior Living (SPSL). Brandon shares his journey into the senior care industry, inspired by personal experiences and a desire to transform outdated, institutional facilities into cozy, home-like environments offering unparalleled care. The discussion delves into the pressing need for innovation in senior living, with the senior population expected to double by 2060 and the industry requiring 775,000 new beds by 2030. Key topics include: How SPSL's 10–20 bed homes provide four times more care than traditional facilities. The importance of community integration, personalized care, and creating family-like atmospheres. The challenges facing the senior living industry, including financing gaps and the demand for higher quality care. The future of senior living as the "silver tsunami" reshapes the industry. Whether you're navigating senior living options for a loved one or interested in the future of compassionate care, this episode is packed with insights, advice, and a bold vision for the future of senior living.

In this engaging episode of The Real State, Alex Norman and Jamie Blonde dive into the fascinating intersection of location, culture, and driving behavior. How does traffic reflect a city's personality? Why does driving in Miami feel like a chaotic cultural blend, while Los Angeles drivers seem to embrace gridlock as a way of life? From New York's honking culture to the symphony of horns in India, the hosts explore how location shapes not only how we drive but also how we live. The conversation touches on technological advances like Waze, autonomous vehicles, and electric cars, and how these innovations are changing the way we navigate our cities—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. They also debate the societal and personal impacts of congestion pricing and traffic technology, weaving in anecdotes about the chaos of Sao Paulo, the laid-back commutes of LA, and the competitive nature of navigating New York. Whether you're stuck in traffic or cruising freely, this episode will make you think differently about the roads we share and the cultures they reflect. Tune in for a mix of humor, insights, and thought-provoking discussion on the ever-evolving world of driving. Key Topics: How traffic culture varies globally and reflects societal norms The role of technology in shaping driving behavior Autonomous vehicles, urban planning, and the psychology of movement Personal stories from Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond Stay safe on the road—and maybe don't honk too much in Miami!

Welcome to the latest Hot Topics Podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker. In this episode, we look at two new papers on the drugs de jour: GLP1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors. Can the former reduce pain in knee osteoarthritis and can the latter prevent recurrent renal stones? Our third paper is a consensus paper published in the BJGP on optimising PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer in asymptomatic men. Sponsored by Prostate Cancer UK, Neal is joined by Dr Alex Norman, a GP, and Dr Oliver Hulson, a consultant radiologist who undertakes prostate biopsy, to discuss the outcomes of this paper and the latest research in this area. For further information from Prostate Cancer UK including educational resources and webinars see the links below.ReferencesNEJM Semaglutide & knee OABMJ SGLT2i & renal stonesBJGP Consensus Paper on PSA Testing in Asymptomatic MenNB Podcast on role of DRE in identifying prostate cancerPCUK Prostate Cancer Education for Health ProfessionalsPCUK Consensus Paper Webinarwww.nbmedical.com/podcast

In this insightful episode of the Real State Podcast, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blond explore the contrasts and unique attributes of everyday life in Tokyo, Japan. Alex, fresh from a visit to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, shares observations on Japanese culture, from the intricate urban design and orderliness of Tokyo's streets to the culture of respect and meticulous architectural details that define the city's infrastructure. Jamie brings in perspectives from his visits to Japan, reflecting on cultural staples like sushi, the technological marvels of Tokyo Bay, and Japan's harmonious blend of tradition with modernity. The duo delves into the societal implications of Japan's aging population, highlighting how urban areas are adapting for the elderly, as well as the unique influence of business and spirituality on everyday life. They also touch on iconic Japanese experiences such as Tokyo's vinyl bars, advanced toilet tech, and the pervasive influence of karaoke culture. Jamie and Alex wrap up by encouraging listeners to experience Japan's singular way of blending the old with the new, noting that, despite the long journey, Tokyo's distinct culture and societal respect make it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a unique view of modern and traditional life in harmony.

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO unpacked the latest headlines including: - KOHO's massive raise - Fable continuing to make strides in accessibility with their latest round - and more takeaways for today's Founders on how to fundraise right now Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a minute or a new episode: www.techto.org/newsletter

In this episode of the Real State Podcast, hosts Alex Norman and Jamie Blonde dive into the intriguing intersection of geography and attraction. Joined by digital wellness expert Anya Pechko, the discussion explores how location—whether it's a bustling city like New York or a laid-back destination like Miami—shapes who we're drawn to and why. Discover the historical roots of attraction, the role of technology and culture, and how cities and environments influence dating dynamics and personal connections. Tune in for actionable insights on improving your success in love, life, and work by understanding the "location chemistry" that subtly guides our choices. Perfect for listeners interested in dating, psychology, and the impact of place on human relationships. Keywords: location, attraction, dating dynamics, geography, culture, technology, relationships, psychology, wellness, New York, Miami, Real State Podcast.

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO are back to breakdown some highlights and top headlines from across Canadian tech. Today they offer insights into some of the top headlines, including: - The biggest Canadian software venture round ever! - How to raise BIG in this market - Is AI in Canada keeping up? - And a pivot and customer-focused approach that helped this company find exponential growth Want to weigh in and share your takes? Like and subscribe and make sure you DM us to leave a comment. We want to hear from you!

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to breakdown some of the trends, stories, and headlines from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. Today, the duo chat and debunk a few headlines including: - The massive shift in Canadian tech talent - 6 transactions that are worthy of conversation - And a company we haven't spoken about in a while is back in the headlines What does this all mean for you? Tune in and listen to the full breakdown. Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you watch or listen to your news, and make sure you share your takes with us. #QuickTakes #Podcast #Subscribe #CanadianTech

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to breakdown the top headlines of the past week in Canadian Tech. In today's episode, they chat through an array of topics including: - The importance of disclosing rejection - What it means to stand out in your vertical (FinTech specifically) - Some important raises to highlight in our lightning round Like and subscribe and make sure you share your takes on the news and trends with us. For more information about the events mentioned in this episode, visit our events page at: www.techto.org/in-real-life-event #TechTO #QuickTakes #CanadianTech #News #Analysis

Today's episode is sponsored by Humi - learn more about them and their special offer for the community at 13:17 of this episode What does Apple and the 'G' in Lasagna have in common? They both move in silence... In today's episode of TechTO Quick Takes, Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly break down some key headlines from the past month in Canadian Tech, including: - A big announcement from PocketHealth - A silent acquisition from Apple - Breaking news we are very proud of - Plus a rumor in the ecosystem If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you watch or listen to your news and podcasts. Share your takes with on social and let us know what you want us to chat about next. We spoke in today's episode about PocketHealth and Founder Rishi Nayyar. We had the pleasure to chat with him exclusively for our Founders Journey podcast where we asked about his best lessons for Founders and his journey to building PocketHealth. Listen to the full episode here to learn more about his inspiring journey #TechTO #QuickTakes #CanadianTech #TechNews

Today's episode is sponsored by Humi As a TechTO community member, you can get access to their exclusive offer: 25% off, with no implementation and base fees – plus 30 days free. Learn more about Humi and how they can support your business at www.humi.ca/techto  Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO are back to break down the headlines from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. Today, the duo chat through: - A lightning round of deals to unpack - The future of Techstars Toronto (and why it may have failed) - Staying Golden with the big news from Golden Ventures - The bright future of Canadian Tech The team also calls upon you (our listeners) to share your thoughts on the series. Comment if you'd like to see us put out episodes once a month with more content, or you enjoy our current cadence.  Aside from the takes and headlines of the week, do you want us to dive into other things? More frequently asked questions, US news, industry-specific topics? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!You can also email us at info@techtoronto.org to share your thoughts You can also register for all upcoming events mentioned here:  Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening to this series.      

Quick Takes is back! Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly return for the first episode of 2024... and we're offering our predictions (you can hold us accountable).From AI, to Canadian Venture Funding, to the job market and more - we're weighing in on what we think 2024 will look like for Canadian Tech.Make sure to like and subscribe wherever you watch or listen to your podcasts and share your takes on our predictions - we love to hear what you think. New episodes dropping bi-weekly ALL YEAR LONG. Leave us a comment and review and let us know what you want to hear about in 2024!

▼ Follow Nicksher Music: » Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4dI7kNNcEGQ8MSGLYVh39T?si=Zg1yjJAHTASjK7xa5S-Lew » SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nickshermusic » YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTF27v-cpxlBfLdQODpFTw » Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1706975586219784/ » Beatport: https://beatport.com/label/nicksher-music/57468 » VK: https://vk.com/club123650463 » Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickshermusic/ --- ▼ Follow Alex Norman: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.norman.376043 PromoDJ: https://promodj.com/norman

▼ Follow Nicksher Music: » Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4dI7kNNcEGQ8MSGLYVh39T?si=Zg1yjJAHTASjK7xa5S-Lew » SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nickshermusic » YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTF27v-cpxlBfLdQODpFTw » Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1706975586219784/ » Beatport: https://beatport.com/label/nicksher-music/57468 » VK: https://vk.com/club123650463 » Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickshermusic/ --- ▼ Follow Alex Norman: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.norman.376043 PromoDJ: https://promodj.com/norman

For the final episode of 2023, Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO team up for one last edition to break down all the news, trends and analysis as we head into the new year. Today, Alex and Alex chat through: - KOHO's news and the optimism it brings for 2024 - Are we finally seeing fundraising return for Canadian startups? - And we run through the hot topics from 2023 and our takes on the trends for the coming year Thanks for listening and sharing your takes with us this year! Make sure to let us know what you'd like to hear more about in 2024! Like and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening. We'll see you in 2024! #QuickTakes #TechNews #Podcast

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return with a new episode of TechTO: Quick Takes. In this series, Alex and Alex break down the latest news, trends, announcements, and analysis from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. In today's episode, we discuss: - How a business can navigate turbulent times - A new strategic partnership for BetaKit - Look ahead to 2024 - And the pillars of success for startups in today's market If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening. Don't forget to share your takes with us on the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. #TechTO #TechNews #Analysis #QuickTakes

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return with a brand new episode of TechTO Quick Takes. They are breaking down the latest news, trends, and analysis from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. Today, Alex and Alex discuss: - How to raise pre-product, and what we can learn from the DeepSky raise - Potential trends for 2024 - Ranking the Canadian banks on the Evident AI Index - Did too many companies go public on the TSX during the boom? - Will we see a trend of more tech companies 'delisting' - And an acquisition we are Certn about If you enjoyed today's episode, leave us a review. Don't forget to like and subscribe so you never miss out on future episodes. Share your takes with us and let us know what you'd like to hear about next! #TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return with a brand new episode of TechTO Quick Takes. They are breaking down the latest news, trends, and analysis from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. Today, Alex and Alex discuss: - How AI and Robotics are helping to solve the housing crisis - The Hyatt brothers recent investment and why it's significant - Upcoming community events to attend - Benefits of capitalizing on the AI chip shortage If you enjoyed today's episode, leave us a review. Don't forget to like and subscribe so you never miss out on future episodes. Share your takes with us and let us know what you'd like to hear about next! #TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly return with the latest episode of TechTO Quick Takes. They breakdown the latest news, trends and analysis from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. Today, Alex and Alex chat through: Vendasta continues to leverage its distribution advantage to raise and grow Procurify lands $50m USD to grow AI tools Reviewing Hiive's recent raise in a secondary market and during tough times Special thanks to our friends at Float for sponsoring today's episode.  Learn more about how Float can support your business and end-of-month process at: www.floatcard.comDon't forget to like and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening. Leave us a rating and don't forget to let us know your takes on the news from the week.  can Subscribe#TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews

Today's episode is brought to you by Float. Learn more about Float and how they can support you and your business at https://floatcard.com/ Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO are back to break down more of the latest news, trends, and analysis from across Canadian Tech. In today's episode, Alex and Alex discuss: - Tips for raising in today's market- What's been working for founders in terms of gaining traction with investors- How Clearco completely pivoted and showed what it means to be resilientLike and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening and don't forget to share your takes with us! Follow us across social and subscribe to the TechTO Newsletter to get analysis like this, right to your inbox! www.techto.org/newsletter

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to breakdown the latest news, trends, and analysis on this brand new episode of Quick Takes.Today's episode answers burning questions for the rest of the year and offers more clarity and takeaways for the Canadian Tech Ecosystem.Alex and Alex chat through: - The biggest topics for the rest of 2023- Will AI actually take our jobs?- Should we be worried about the slowdown of acquisition news?- What can we expect for the rest of the year?- What startups will emerge on topLike and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening. Subscribe wherever you listen to your news and podcasts.Connect with the team on LinkedIn or leave us your comments below.#TechTO #QuickTakes #News #Analysis #CanadianTech

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO are back to break down more of the news, trends, and analysis from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. On today's episode, Alex and Alex discuss:- Why AI startups are thriving - More on the recent Sun Life acquisition of Dialogue- How VCs are adjusting to the current market Plus we chat through our upcoming events and Alex Norman shares his perspective on the current marketLike and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening #TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to break down the latest news trends and analysis from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech. Alex and Alex chat through: - How the access to tech talent is improving - How the province, and country plan to retain tech talent - Why these two companies are facing headwinds after raising large rounds - A larger-than-normal round of funding news and announcements and what this means for the ecosystem Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening We'll be back again in 2 weeks with more TechTO Quick Takes.  Don't forget to leave us your thoughts and reviews on what you thought of our takes! #TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to break down the latest news trends and analysis from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech.Alex and Alex chat through:- A rumour that actually turned out to be true - Data moats are helping vertical AI companies scale- Building on someone else platform can lead to success- And for our Lighting Round they chat through more news and announcements from the past few weeks in techDon't forget to like and subscribe wherever you're watching or listeningWe'll be back again in 2 weeks with more TechTO Quick Takes. Don't forget to leave us your thoughts and reviews on what you thought of our takes!#TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to break down the latest news, trends, and analysis from the past few weeks in Canadian Tech.  A special guest also joins the podcast today to discuss a recent raise and how it all came together.  Scott Stevenson of Spellbook discusses their recent news and all the learnings and takeaways for the community.  Alex and Alex also chat through:- A large round from Hostaway and the recovery of the travel industry (Marcus Rader of Hostaway spoke at a 2019 TechTO, watch it here: https://lnkd.in/gWVrdRR8)- Today's current market- Events you should keep on your calendar for the coming months- BenchSci's nearly 100m dollar Series D, and what it means for others Learn more about Spellbook at www.spellbook.legal  Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you're watching or listening#TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to break down the latest news, trends, and analysis from the Canadian Tech Ecosystem.On today's episode, Alex and Alex chat through:- Breaking news as Shopify cuts 20% of global staff- A raise that "may or may not happen"- Super.com has a supersized raise- More bad news (but we promise there's a positive outlook)- Our takes on the recent announcements out of the ecosystem Listen LIVE across the TechTO channels, or catch up later wherever you listen to your podcasts. Don't forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode!SPOTIFY: https://lnkd.in/gxWsXrxYOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/eD-E5RH APPLE PODCASTS: https://lnkd.in/gHKrXu2z#TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews #CanadianTech

In this episode of Your B-Side, you'll discover that Alex is supporting one of the best Hockey teams in Canada, that his most memorable trip was 11 weeks spent in South-East Asia, and that one of his life-changing moments was during his studies in Montreal. Support the Show.Listen to all the episodes, rate and review us wherever you listen to your podcasts!--Écoute tous les épisodes, laisse nous une note et un commentaire partout où tu écoutes tes podcasts!Contact: Instagram (EN) Instagram (FR) TwitterLinkedinFacebookEmail: your.bside.podcast@gmail.com Credits: Jazzy Abstract, by BeatComa-Media

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to break down the latest news, trends, and analysis from the Canadian Tech Ecosystem.On today's episode, Alex and Alex chat through:- The new Canadian consolidators club expands- The benefits of changing trends- Everything you need to know about a "clean room platform"- How to spin technology out of Canadian universities- More raises and announcements making news from the past couple of weeksListen LIVE across the TechTO channels, or catch up later wherever you listen to your podcasts. Don't forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Today's episode is sponsored by our friends at CPSA: You're passionate about your tech solution, we're passionate about helping you sell it. Learn proven techniques for prospecting, negotiating, pitching and client-relationship to close more business and grow your market share with membership in the Canadian Professional Sales Association.  Start your free trial today (no credit card required). Plus: Listen to Kurtis McBride of Miovision at a past TechTO event: https://youtu.be/hmoNS4C8oEk Learn more about Miovision and check out their product demo here: https://youtu.be/sNIxkjWFT_w Checkout Aspect Biosystems recent conversation at our past TechTO event in Vancouver: https://youtu.be/hg4G3zyzYC0 SPOTIFY: https://lnkd.in/gxWsXrxYOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/eD-E5RH APPLE PODCASTS: https://lnkd.in/gHKrXu2z #TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews #CanadianTech

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to break down the latest news, trends, and analysis from the Canadian Tech Ecosystem.On today's episode, Alex and Alex chat through:- The return of Funding news, and the revival of the Funding Market- Tourist investors, the pros and cons - More raises and announcements making news from the past couple of weeks- What's coming up for our communityDon't forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! SPOTIFY: https://lnkd.in/gxWsXrxYOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/eD-E5RH APPLE PODCASTS: https://lnkd.in/gHKrXu2z #TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews #CanadianTech

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO return to break down the latest news, trends, and analysis from the Canadian Tech Ecosystem.On today's episode, Alex and Alex chat through:- The next consolidators in Canadian Tech- A pandemic pivot gone wrong - More raises and acquisitions making news from the past couple of weeks- The glow-up of the travel industry (and why this is great news for you)- Plus: our projections for acquisitions this year 

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly are back with a brand new episode of Quick Takes, where they break down the latest tech news, trends, and analysis from the past few weeks. In this series, the team chats through all the happenings, chatter, and updates from across the Canadian Tech Ecosystem. Today's episode includes: - GaN Systems Inc. big purchase, and what we can learn from this - More raises and acquisitions we think are notable - 2 repeat Founders make more moves with their newest company Barley - We also chat through the main reasons companies actually get acquired Today's episode is brought to you by CPSA: You're passionate about your tech solution, we're passionate about helping you sell it. Learn proven techniques for prospecting, negotiating, pitching, and client-relationship to close more business and grow your market share with membership in the Canadian Professional Sales Association. Start your free trial today (no credit card required). Don't forget to check out their March 23 free webinar, Close More Business in a Down Economy. Struggling to find predictable sales revenue? Riding a rollercoaster of peaks and valleys? Learn how to create a sense of urgency and increase the size of your deals to generate more revenue with less effort. Sign-up here. Like and Subscribe wherever you are watching or listening and catch up on previous episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts or watch your content. SPOTIFY: https://lnkd.in/gxWsXrx YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/eD-E5RH APPLE PODCASTS: https://lnkd.in/gHKrXu2z#TechTO #QuickTakes #TechNews

Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly breakdown the latest chatter and news from around the Canadian Tech Ecosystem, sharing their perspectives and featuring the shared stories of others from across the industry. You can share your takes with us for future episodes at: alex@techto.org. Subscribe to our 3x weekly newsletter to get these episodes, and more right to your inbox: www.techto.org/newsletter *DON'T FORGET TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU ARE LISTENING* Today the team breaks down: FounderFuels return and what that means, the CIC launches in Canada, more raises from across the ecosystem and Alex Norman makes a prediction for 2023. **AS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: FounderFuel is currently accepting applications for their next cohort. Applications close on March 12, 2023 >> APPLY HERE: https://founderfuel.com/apply/

Quick Takes is back, with a brand new episode! Returning on a bi-weekly basis, we launch a new episode every other Thursday featuring the same analysis, news of the week, stories and perspectives you love. Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly breakdown the latest chatter and news from around the Canadian Tech Ecosystem, sharing their perspectives and featuring the shared stories of others from across the industry. You can share your takes with us for future episodes at: alex@techto.org. Subscribe to our 3x weekly newsletter to get these episodes, and more right to your inbox: www.techto.org/newsletter *DON'T FORGET TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU ARE LISTENING* Today the team breaks down: What is happening with D-Wave (and all the rumours), Shopify's latest investment in tech, the biggest raise of the year (so far), and more events and happenings for the ecosystem.

Quick Takes is back, kicking off 2023 with the same run downs, stories and analysis of the latest chatter and news in Canadian Tech. Returning on a bi-weekly basis, we launch a new episode every other Thursday featuring the same analysis, news of the week, stories and perspectives you love. Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly breakdown the latest chatter and news from around the Canadian Tech Ecosystem, sharing their perspectives and featuring the shared stories of others from across the industry. You can share your takes with us for future episodes at: alex@techto.org. Subscribe to our 3x weekly newsletter to get these episodes, and more right to your inbox: www.techto.org/newsletter DON'T FORGET TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU ARE LISTENING Today, the team breaks down: Atomicjar's raise and commitment to build teams in Canada (BIG THANKS to Eli Aleyner of Atomicjar for joining us LIVE) WeCommerce and Tiny join forces Magnet Forensics attracts Private Equity Accord raises $10m USD (they're also TechTO Insiders!) Today's Content: (0:00) A+A kick off the episode and introduce today's topics (1:17) Eli Aleyner of Atomicjar joins Alex for a Q&A and to share more news (15:23) WeCommerce and Tiny join forces. What is the news? (21:24) Why are the companies merging now? (26:22) Need a Co-Founder? Email alex@techto.org and tell us what you're looking for (26:33) Magnet Forensics attracts Private Equity (29:20) Our take on the transaction (33:03) Accord raises $10m USD (34:33) TechTO Events are fast approaching (www.techto.org to learn more and get your tickets) Learn more about Atomicjar here

Quick Takes is back, kicking off 2023 with the same run downs, stories and analysis of the latest chatter and news in Canadian Tech. Returning on a bi-weekly basis, we launch a new episode every other Thursday featuring the same analysis, news of the week, stories and perspectives you love. Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly breakdown the latest chatter and news from around the Canadian Tech Ecosystem, sharing their perspectives and featuring the shared stories of others from across the industry. You can share your takes with us for future episodes at: alex@techto.org. Subscribe to our 3x weekly newsletter to get these episodes, and more right to your inbox: www.techto.org/newsletter DON'T FORGET TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU ARE LISTENING Today, the team breaks down: Radical Ventures riding the AI wave Web3 news and acquisition struggles Nuvei's rapid growth TechTO/ Community Events news (0:00) A+A kick off the episode and introduce today's topics (1:16) Radical Ventures riding the AI wave (4:16) Why is radical unique for the ecosystem? (11:14) Coinsquare backs out of acquisition. What happened? (18:43) Nuvei growing rapidly. What's the secret? (26:52) Upcoming events for our community - check them out at www.techto.org

▼ Follow Nicksher Music: » Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4dI7kNNcEGQ8MSGLYVh39T?si=Zg1yjJAHTASjK7xa5S-Lew » SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nickshermusic » YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTF27v-cpxlBfLdQODpFTw » Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1706975586219784/ » Beatport: https://beatport.com/label/nicksher-music/57468 » VK: https://vk.com/club123650463 » Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickshermusic/ --- ▼ Follow Alex Norman: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.norman.376043 PromoDJ: https://promodj.com/norman

Welcome to TechTO Quick Takes. Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO meet to breakdown the latest new, trends and analysis from the past week in Canadian Tech. It's Thursday November 17th, 2022 and today we are talking about: The new reality for startups and what this normal means Some major raises were announced recently, and we breakdown why this is big for the Canadian Tech Ecosystem Catch up on past episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can also check out our upcoming events at www.techto.org

It's Thursday September 15, 2022 and for today's episode, we asked you to share your burning questions! Alex Norman took the time to give his perspective on everything from the current investment market, what VC's are seeing, and even shared what his favourite hot sauce was. To catch the full insights, listen here and don't forget to subscribe to us on Spotify and YouTube so you NEVER miss an episode. **Thanks as well to our friends at Voiceform who enabled to us to gather real time audio feedback that we shared LIVE on the show. Check them out at www.voiceform.com** Special thanks to Smith School of Business at Queen's University for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at smithqueens.com/aidegree to get involved in their program!

In this episode of the Beehive Capital Podcast, Alex Norman and Douglas Owusu discuss how to 1) maintain and grow customer base and 2) raise capital given the economic environment from the pre-seed perspective.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beehive-capital-podcast/donations

Alex Norman is Head of Front End at Upside Technology, and an experienced lead front-end engineer who builds products and teams from scratch. Upside is an investment app that will develop, harness and maximise the skills you need to become an expert investor. Investing is complex but it doesn't need to be difficult and their app and connected products provide you with all the tools you need to make investment decisions with confidence. Through bespoke insights, scientific analysis, and a smart framework used by professional portfolio managers, Upside help you gain the skills and confidence you need to invest in an educated, sustainable and risk-aware way. During this podcast episode, Ben sits down with Alex to discuss the technologies that have helped Alex and his team build the app in 3 months, general patterns of building front-end features, and Alex's leadership style and advice.

▼ Follow Nicksher Music: » Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4dI7kNNcEGQ8MSGLYVh39T?si=Zg1yjJAHTASjK7xa5S-Lew » Beatport: https://beatport.com/label/nicksher-music/57468 » YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTF27v-cpxlBfLdQODpFTw » Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1706975586219784/ » SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nickshermusic » VK: https://vk.com/club123650463 » Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickshermusic/ --- ▼ Follow Alex Norman: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.norman.376043 PromoDJ: https://promodj.com/norman

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: How to PhD, published by eca on the AI Alignment Forum. Many thanks to Andrew Snyder-Beattie, Howie Lempel, Alex Norman and Noga Aharony for thoughtful feedback. Mistakes are mine. Status: Some obviously right stuff. Some spicy takes. In places I'm trying to illustrate a pattern of thinking rather than an explicit recipe. Aimed at a particular audience, YMMV. These are a few thoughts on how to approach graduate school effectively. This is not a guide or anything of the sort. Just an attempt to write down a set of considerations I use when thinking about my own grad school, and what seems to be helpful from convos I've had with other EA PhD-seekers. I have not tried to make this generally applicable. So some background facts in case you are looking for something else: I am a grad student at MIT I work on catastrophic risks from biology My background is synthetic biology/ bioinformatics/ deep learning I have most personal experience with synthetic biology academia My favorite theory of change for addressing these risks goes substantially through EAs taking on a lot more object level work— founding organizations, engineering systems, making scientific progress— than I expect is the median view I still think policy-ish stuff is important; a substantial part of the reason I'm doing my PhD is to be credible to fancy people types I'm not inside-view excited about young longtermist EAs pursuing faculty positions, basically at all. Others I think are reasonable do argue for this, so I've tried to include a relevant example. Some general things Academic incentives are nefarious and horrible and will poison your brain. This happens to the best people. You can become a status monster unless you know this in your bones and remind yourself of it every day. Recognize it now, and inoculate yourself by knowing what you want before the poison seeps in. If you want to do anything that isn't optimizing for academic prestige, like spending some of your PhD research time on publishing directly impactful papers or developing directly impactful technologies, or doing these things later in your career, you will need to have a strategy for managing the ways academic incentives push you to waste your brilliance. This probably involves maintaining and strengthening your EA-adjacent network. This is also broadly important, IMO. If you are doing a PhD for EA career development, remember that 3-7 years is a long time and that you will not just be sacrificing direct impact in that time, but also relationships and EA-specific knowledge and context. Despite the intention to develop career capital, you could come out of a PhD stupider and less useful than you went in if you lose track of what is impactful and are 5 years behind everyone on the best mental models. A PhD is also in many ways a prolongation of the perpetual childhood instantiated in western education systems. I notice that between people of the same age, one of whom just completed a PhD and the other who has been doing direct work for that duration, the PhD is a little “less grown up” on average (this is a comment about the average and not some claim about strict dominance! I love you, all my PhD bearing friends and colleagues). Most PhDs do not teach you many of the life-lesson-y adult-y things you actually need to be effective. E.g.: taking sole ownership and responsibility for solving a real problem rather than optimizing for fake metrics like impact factor and having your PI to fall back on, leading and managing others, communicating with people who are in a very different place than you, robustness in the face of a wide range of challenges instead of narrow specialization on a few, knowing when something is or isn't worth your time and developing a palpable urgency, learning how effective organizations work, being held accountable f...

Welcome to The Waffle Shop Podcast! Join me Taylor James for a waffle about all things Mental Health, Coping Mechanisms and Life's Minor Inconveniences On todays episode Im joined by the insanely talented Alex Norman Alex is a Singer/Songwriter from Coventry and joins me to have a waffle about all things Music, Mental Health and the importance of believing in yourself! Really hope you enjoy the episode and don't forget to follow us over on instagram for more exclusive content from this weeks episode!

It's Thursday April 1st 2021, and today we'll be talking about: Clutch fills up the tank with $60m, The Ontario Securities Commission cracks down on crypto, Dapper Labs runs it back with $305M, and Getty Images takes another dip into Canada with Unsplash. Photo of a young Alex Norman and Dan Park drinking a beer at TechTO in 2015: https://youtu.be/8iQYZ26gx60?t=90

The Real State is the intersection between the latest trends in real estate and its impact on our everyday lives. Alex Norman and Jamie Blond talk with industry leaders, business owners and residents who share their expertise and experiences on issues affecting the real estate industry today and tomorrow. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Venture Journey, Alex Norman, Managing Director at Tech Toronto, share his insights on the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian startup ecosystem. Alex highlights how startups in different phases of their lifecycle have to steer their company. We discuss how the pandemic's impact will be temporary, and all the players will adopt new ways in the future. Listen to this episode to know more about the impact of COVID-19 on various players in the startup ecosystem and how the future will be reshaped. Note: This episode was recorded in June, and release was delayed due to COVID-19. Audio Quality is impacted as the recording was virtual over the zoom call.

Somehow, somewhere, our friend Alex Norman, a life long Fulham fan, comes on the pod to explain to us why Fulham aren't doomed to relegation just yet. But, after watching Spurs this weekend maybe Mourinho should worry about that too. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This Part 2 of my interview with Alex Norman, co-founder of TechTO. Today's episode dives into how he grew TechTO into the leading tech-events company in Canada. This episode has background music added in. Feedback so far on the background music is negative and I will discontinue it after this podcast if I don't get overwhelming feedback in the other direction.Subscribe to the podcast: Apple, Sticher, TuneIn, Overcast , Spotify. Private Feed.TRANSCRIPT:Edward Nevraumont: This is part two of my interview with Alex Norman. Today, we're going to dive into his experience as Managing Director of TechTO. First, Alex, can you describe what TechTO is?Alex Norman: TechTO is an organization that helps the Canadian tech ecosystems improve. And what I mean by that is we're a member-based organization that helps members meet other like-minded people, learn from each other, and advance their career in technology, either as a founder or as an employee.Edward: Traditionally that meant events, right? You guys started with a monthly event and then added more and more and more of these in-person events.Alex: That's correct. It started off with a monthly event and then March, 2020 I think the previous 12 months that we had a hundred events. Anything from a small dinners to 1,000 people showing up to the event.Edward: And obviously COVID has made that a lot more difficult. Basically you're running an event company with hundreds and hundreds of events, and then all of a sudden events dropped to zero within like a three-day time period. How did you guys manage?Alex: So I'd say there's two parts to this. One is going back to what I said yesterday about you should always be doubling down on what works and have experiments on the side. I think the year before we started experimenting with a digital membership, so not digital events, but a membership and community. And how do we make the community exist beyond events and online? So we had some learning about what we have to do from a community perspective online to make this still a vibrant community add value to our members. So we were prepared from that perspective and had some knowledge there. So we ramped that up quickly.The other thing is, I remember March 10th, I think we had an event and then both Jason and I were supposed to go on vacation because March break on March 11th. March 12th we decided that there's going to be no events for the next year. Let's figure out how to do online events and what that meant, what technology can enable us and how our events could represent something similar to what we do. What will work that we used to do, what won't work?And so I think the next five or six days we tested like 30 platforms. We started learning limitations of what could be done, what couldn't be done. And we did a test event, I think on March 18th or 17th, with just some of our members. And then March 24th we did our first event and then basically did an event, I feel like it's every weekday, since then. And it was constant iteration and improving how to improve experience and how we could deliver value.And I'd say from March until now, being August 2020, probably done 150 events, a bunch of different formats. And we're actually now thinking we have enough impetus strategically about how do we take it to the next level. Assuming there's no events for another year in person, what do we have to do to actually deliver value for members? And how do we have to change, for lack of a better word, our product. But we have now enough data, enough insight, enough interactions with people to build a fact-based hypothesis versus we went live and started iterating and we had enough of community and brand to experiment online.Edward: I read somewhere recently that in order to win in quality, the way to do it is to massively increase quantity. Does that match with what you guys are doing?Alex: Yeah. I've never heard that before, but I fundamentally believe in that. Again, maybe there's vision, product-driven founders and people out there that can see the end product. And maybe that was what Steve Jobs was, but the way I've always more than likely got the best product is doing hundreds of experiments. And sometimes experiments are hypothetical and sometimes they're building a product and putting it out there and seeing how the world reacts. So it's been a lot of quantity, we had a quality level we had to keep, but now we have an idea how to take the quality level, make it three times better.Edward: I want to dive into some of your more significant marketing channels. Let's start with meetup.com. How did you start using Meetup to grow TechTO at the beginning?Alex: So originally we used Meetup. We came to Meetup. We said, "Okay, this might be interesting way to get distribution," but it was more of tool for functionality. It's an easy way for people to register interests, show up. We could use their ticketing. They had some ticketing built in. We could use it to administer our initial events. And initially we didn't think of Meetup as a distribution channel, but we quickly found out after doing the first few events, seeing a lot of people were just discovering and joining our Meetup group, not necessarily events on Meetup. We said, "Okay, this is actually a strong distribution channel." Because a. Meetup gets lots of organic traffic. You find out that they get ranked pretty high in some SEO terms. And if you could basically, for lack of a better word, figure out how their recommendation engine recommends groups, you could probably drive a lot more traffic.So I don't know if it was three months in, nine months, but I spent a lot of time researching in and playing around to figure out how you set up a group and how you set up events. How you can basically take advantage of organic traffic from Meetup. So I'd say we optimized how we did everything on Meetup to basically optimize the flow of people to join our Meetup. And then we experiment a lot with how do we communicate with people to get to them to attend events. And I'd say at the peak, when doing offline events for some of our, and we have different committees, for some of our committees it could be 30 to 40% of our initial interaction. And coming to our event was from Meetup. It could be lower for some. It's just like search is optimized for Google or YouTube. You could do that for Meetup.Edward: And how did you do that? So how do you search engine optimize for Meetup if you're not going to give away any secrets?Alex: So I think it's changed over the years. So I think the first thing was what terms. You could say, I think 10 or 12 terms that you associate a group with. It could be how many events you have listed on there. So is it a regular event? Are you listing two or 10? The more regular frequency and the more events you have listed and the right hashtags, the right wording... And so we could find also how we did research. You could look at like New York Tech Meetup group. You could click on it. They have 50,000 members. I think they were the biggest Meetup group at one point. You could see what they were hashtagged for. Then you can then use those hashtags.You can search those hashtags. They tell you how many people are members. You get metrics, you can basically navigate around Meetup to find metrics and tags. You could figure out which groups or you could just reach our communities. We had different meetup groups, we'd start measuring the growth of them and try to figure out what was working or not. We tried to research articles and there wasn't much out there, but it was just exploring Meetup and basically trying to backwards engineer how they were recommending stuff.And we'd test results and we'd see. Because we tried different things with different communities and you could see the growth rates and we'd see our biggest group was growing twice as fast as our smallest group. So what are we doing different? So it was just a lot of analytics, a lot of backwards engineering, also experimenting. It's also doing great products. So I think what we also believed is if you have a lot of people attending and a lot of repeat attendance to events and people come looking for you, Meetup would recognize that as a quality event. So it was just basically observing what would make a difference and we could see by the rate of people joining our group.Edward: You even put a bid in to buy Meetup when WeWork was divesting it, is that right?Alex: Yes, we did. Our belief with Meetup is it's a great brand. It has tons of organic traffic, but it doesn't know who it wants to serve. And then there's a few different types of groups that leverage Meetup and that can either build different products for different groups or could just focus on one. So we believed there was a lot of value in Meetup but it hasn't ever really figured a way to unlock it for itself or for its organizations. And there was an opportunity to potentially buy that asset and just make it much more powerful.Edward: Your other big channel is organic social, which is primarily Facebook and LinkedIn. Now I've always thought that companies overvalue organic social, but you seem to have found something that drives more than a quarter of your business. What are you doing that's working so well on organic social?Alex: Let's be clear, I think it's changed over time and we've sort of zigged when everyone zagged. So I think Facebook was doing a way that you got the people attending events to interact with content for them. So a lot of pictures, a lot of videos, a lot of content that... We have a Facebook group, but that gets no distribution anymore. So we probably took 200, 300 pictures of an event. And even though there's 700, 800 people, we would try to tag all the people in those pictures. We would have postings after, which were interactive. And so when people interacted with it, their friends see it and hopefully a lot of them have like-minded friends that'd be interested in the same thing. And then that would translate into people signing up for us and coming to events.I think Facebook was good by leveraging our community, to get distribution and get like-minded. So you didn't need a huge amount of distribution because you had the right members and they would attract like-minded people. We started off with using Twitter a lot. I think Twitter is a great for awareness, but Twitter is like pissing in the wind. You put a tweet out... Every time we did an event, we'd be number one trending in Canada because we just had huge engagement. We have 800 people, huge engagement. We do our events on Monday night, it'd be us or NFL Monday Night or the Bachelor. So you're talking about good awareness, but the distribution of any one tweet's not huge. It disappears after a few seconds. And once you start trending you also get lots of spam that paws on to take advantage of that.So it gives you [inaudible 00:09:48] metrics, which give you credibility and gives you a bit of awareness because people that aren't at events seen an event's going on and they want to interact with that. But we're interacting a lot with Twitter but we de-emphasize it as a marketing channel because we saw it's great for the community. It's a great communication app, but doesn't really do anything. My hypothesis at one point was LinkedIn has become more of a social network. And I can't remember when this was about two or maybe three years ago we said, people aren't leveraging it like they would leverage other social networks, so let's experiment with LinkedIn and see if that can make a difference because you're not going to get necessarily the person that wants [CentreTech 00:10:21] but you might get tech leaders that are trying to recruit.You might get potential partners that look at LinkedIn and no one's really filling their feed. So we started doing a bunch of experimentation on how to get distribution, and LinkedIn's horrible from an analytics and distribution perspective, but we started de-emphasizing Twitter from a social stream to LinkedIn. And it actually paid off because we got to activate a different customer set that we were targeting. It builds a brand and gets people out. And they introduced LinkedIn events, I think 10, 12 months ago. So we were being quick to try new tools. So we got a lot of initial bump there because no one else was using it or experimenting with it. So you adapt for the channel, but you also take learnings from other channels. And I think our approach to LinkedIn was early and different than other people's. So it helped us grow our communities.Edward: Tell me more about what you were doing on LinkedIn. You weren't just posting, "Hey event having happening tonight" or, "Here's some pictures of the event."Alex: No, I'd call them two buckets of content. One is just interacting with the overall tech ecosystem. Just being a source of information, but I think more importantly we'd have Jim McKelvey speaking. He's not good example. He was co-founder of Square. So once we have Jim McKelvey speaking we do content around that beforehand. "Hey, here's Jim, you may not know him. He started a company with Jack Dorsey. It's called Square" and do stories. And then maybe we'd say, "What would you like to ask him?" So a bit of information about upcoming events, but not advertorial. It was more information about why this is relevant to you. And then maybe try to engage with the audience.And then post event we'd have postings that would be like, "You may have missed an event, but here's the three key takeaways from Allan at Wattpad." Or we do member stories. "Here's a member that joined TechTO and she found her first job." Or a perfect one was, "Here's a member, she attended TechTO three years ago. She loved the founder that was talking, she reached out to him. Now she's the CEO of that company." Highlighting stories and highlighting takeaways and what was going to community. So building awareness by providing two, three paragraph insights and then engaging with the community and-Edward: And you're doing that daily?Alex: No, we found daily's too often, but it'd be once every couple days. We experiment a lot. I think anything more than once a day in LinkedIn's too much just because it's the exact opposite of Twitter. Stuff stays up there long. We never really spent too much time figuring out how everything works, but we just knew that if you do more than once a day, I think LinkedIn seems to hide your postings. So one thing we did learn is if you have quick reactions on LinkedIn, it gets spread faster. So in the first 10 minutes 10 people give it a like, or whatever they call it, it would be more likely seen by your wider community. So you have Facebook equivalent, your company can have followers? We never even focused building that on LinkedIn because it's just enough other ways to get distribution on there.Edward: I want to loop back a little bit to your Facebook comment. You were trying to tag 700 people. How did you manage something like that?Alex: Dedicated team. The thing is everyone has name tags on them and usually your name tag's in the picture. So maybe you get a Tammy or a Jessica but even in the group of 800 there's five Jessicas? Either the team would know her or we had a group of volunteers and team members that we'd try to do it with. We weren't 100% successful. But if you have just five people in the picture and you get one person, usually the other people come tag themselves. So you need like a 60% success rate to make that strategy valid.Edward: That's incredible. So now that COVID's happened and you switched from in-person events to online events, has that changed the marketing channels that are working for you?Alex: Yes. And I don't think we were well aware of it at the beginning. So I've always been overly worried about the margin channels we work on because it's not our platforms. One of our biggest marketing channels we didn't discuss. We have an email list of members, which is 50,000-plus strong. So that's something we own. And other channels we rely on are all the channels we don't control. So the email channel still works, but I'd say we are over-relying on three channels before and two which don't work the same way. Who goes to Meetup today? You go to Meetup because you want to see an in-person event. They're doing digital events, but just my guess without knowing anything is their traffic's probably down 80 to 90%. Because people aren't inherently going out to go look for, "Hey, I want to go to a tech conference" or "I want to go meet a bunch of bicyclists."And so the activity on Meetup has significantly dropped. I think the other channel, which we're aware of never really quantified, but I think it's actually significantly hurt us is I think we had a unique word of mouth. And what I mean by that is, someone goes Monday morning and goes, "Hey, I'm going to TechTO tonight" to their colleagues. Maybe they go themselves the first time. Next day they go for coffee. He says, "Man, I had a great time at TechTO. You should come to it." And then three weeks later, when the next TechTO or let's say your FinTechTO in two weeks comes along, someone goes to buy a ticket. And they say, "Hey, I'm buying a ticket. I'm going to TechTO next week."And then they say, "Why don't you come out with us?" And they pull their friends. The word of mouth was actually dragging friends that enjoy social experience together in person. And I think we still have strong word of mouth, but it's not nearly as impactful because when there's a point you have to schedule to go see something in person together, you make plans around it. It becomes part of your social activity. And when you think it's good enough for your friends to enjoy, you'll suggest it and you'll go to it together. And then they become advocates and come together.What I noticed online is no one does, "Hey, I'm going at 7:00 online to this event tonight. Why don't you come join me?" And then there's a couple of things that happen. I think when you want to go to TechTO an event in person, you actually have to plan your day around it. At 7:00 you have to be at RBC WaterPark for a TechTO event on Monday or 6:00, you're going to plan that Monday not to work. Maybe you have an issue with the babysitter. Maybe you got work and you don't come, but you're usually buying your tickets ahead of time. What I've noticed online is, "Hey, we have an event at 7:00 on Tuesday." People are like, "Oh, let me see what's happening and I'll register at 6:55."So first of all, people don't plan. And I think second of all, this shared social experience online right now is not like a shared social experience in person. You're not going there. You're not laughing together. You're both in your own rooms or your houses. So I think we still get strong word of mouth, but [amplifier 00:16:48] where people drag their friends along, it doesn't happen. And I think that's a significant impact on us. So Meetup as a channel is not working and word of mouth is not working. So we've relied a lot more social. We rely a lot more email and we're still trying to experiment because I think lots of people have had the marketing channels changed, not just events, but retail and stuff like that. So I think it's a lot more crowded and there's a lot more volatility and noise in lots of channels right now. So it's not clear to me which ones will scale up in the near future.Edward: This has been awesome, Alex, thank you so much. Thanks for being on the show. Before you go, tell me what comic book we should all read next.Alex: I haven't read it but I've enjoyed the Netflix series Umbrella Academy so I want to actually pick up the comic books and read them. But I haven't read any good comics in a while. If you want a classic, it's the Sandman series. It's written by Neil Gaiman and it's about the mythology of the character Sandman: Master of Dreams. It's not what you expect from a comic book. Go read it.Edward: I think ending on the Master of Dreams is a fantastic way to end. Thanks, Alex. Really appreciate having you here today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketingbs.substack.com

This is the second Marketing BS podcast. Alex Norman is an old friend who co-founded TechTO, the leading tech-event company in Canada. He is also a partner with AngelList, co-founder of HomeSav and runs a micro-seed venture fund. In Part 1 we talk about Alex's career. Tomorrow in Part 2 we dive into how he grew the TechTO business. (Note: Originally the interview this week was going to be with Nick White, head of marketing for Osano, but due to some issues with the transcript I am pushing that episode to next week)This episode contains a new experiment using background music. Please let me know what you think of it. Engaging? Distracting? Comment or just hit reply.TRANSCRIPT:Edward Nevraumont: My guest today is Alex Norman. Today's episode covers his career, McGill university, Lehman Brothers, Simply Business, McKinsey, HomeSav. He's now Managing Director of Tech TO and a partner with AngelList and N49P among other things. Alex, the first time you oversaw marketing was when you were running HomeSav and you got that opportunity by starting the company yourself. How did you go about making that company happen?Alex Norman: Yeah, that's an actually really good question. I want to break it down to two things. Why did we start this company? And how I was in a position to start this company? One is I had recently been at McKinsey and I felt giving other people advice is great, but I like building something and I started looking for opportunities. My co-founders and I were spending time looking at money, different opportunities, looking at acquiring companies. Over six months we realized we all had a similar problem, finishing our houses. It sounds silly, but we all realized you buy more furniture and home decor than you think you do over your life and you constantly buy it and it was really no good solution. The brands out there were all retailers. It's a huge category with very few leaders. You had Ikea you have like a couple other like restoration hardware, but the whole process of what you buy and how you buy, it's pretty crummy experienceThen we saw there was an opportunity to change how people buy furniture and home decor and to leverage, we thought people were now becoming comfortable with the internet for purchase like this. So we found this opportunity the problem we had, we saw that there was an interesting way to insert ourselves in the value chain and use a changing environment.Now, Why I was able to set myself up to do this is a couple of things. One is, I was already 10 to 15 years in my career and I'd never, lived at my means. What I mean by that is, when I was working at McKinsey, you make a decent salary, decent bonuses. But I was consciously keeping a lot of dry powder cash there in case I ever needed it. So when it came time to starting a company, investing in a company and living with no salary, I had six figures liquid saved up. So I could deal with that immediate casual pressure. Second of all, my experiences gave me insights on knowing what starting a company looks like, the challenges that I'd face and the skills that we would need and I had found the right co-founders to do it with. So one was finding the right opportunity. The other was positioning myself in a career that I could actually jump in on the opportunity when I saw fit and also knowing what to do or believing. I knew what I needed to do.Edward: When you were there you grew the business to about 350,000 subscribers before you sold it. How did you know what you were doing on the marketing side? Because you didn't have a lot of traditional marketing experience going in.Alex: So I think some of it is intuitive. I've been around marketing functions for a long time. I had previously worked at startups in the States and UK. Where I wasn't responsible for marketing, but I was close to marketing strategy and I was building into my product, so I understood and saw what they did and watched the approach. I did a marketing major in my MBA, whether or not that's practical or not. It gives you a framework and how to think about it. Also did some marketing projects at McKinsey. So I was aware, of let's say the frameworks and strategies to use. But I think it was more just customer development and intuition are saying how the internet works. So my approach was, it was doing customer development and also from marketing channels to build a bunch of experiments in a portfolio approach.Sorry, let's take a step back and say, there was two things we had to build. We have to build a brand and awareness and we had to build, actual get transactions, either people, micro transactions to sign up, to be subscriber or to actually purchase, and I think the, transaction building the list, that was much more natural to me. We figured out who our target customers are or we had hypothesis, we test it with a bunch of different campaigns to refining to figure out a customer. Now we did research and it was 28 year old to 42 year old women living in metropolitan areas who had a white collar job and had limited time and was interested in home decor.So we figured out where we believe this woman was, what our habits were and then we did a bunch of experiments to reach out to her and run a portfolio of, different distribution channels and messaging and figured out which ones are the right ones to double down on. When we had something that was working, we put 70% of our efforts and have a portfolio of other activities that we'd keep on testing. From the branding perspective, we took a bunch of different activities and I would say that was a lot less measured. So you'd probably be disappointed in how I ran that. But it was more of, how do we get awareness and credibility by leveraging off brands that, would resonate. So we had a BizDev approach where we'd go partner with people like House & Home or Styled Home or approach not and try to do BizDev where we'd get our national post even.We'd get opportunities to get our brand in front of people and get distribution. And it was really the ability to consistently show certain type of product, a certain value proposition. We have partnerships that wouldn't necessarily drive people to sign up through email or to do purchases, but we'd give people comfort that when they saw something else and are deepen our channel they'd feel comfortable to interact with us. How do I learn to do this? This is just read a lot. So my past history taught me some of the frameworks and how to think about it and an experimenting a lot and just looking at the data, looking at what's happening and just quickly iterating and talking to a lot of other people. because there's, a lot of people doing startups that you could just reach out to for help.Edward: How did You come out of the HomeSav experience different than when you went in? Like, what did you learn there that set you up for growing free future businesses?Alex: So I think a couple of things, one is trying and understand the high level game you're playing. So this is not applicable necessarily to marketing, but we usually try to bootstrap, bootstrap, his business. People say, don't look, all your competitors are doing, but I think it's understanding the value chain and who you're competing with and what your ultimate goal for that business is in planning a bit more backwards. So, the One Kings Lane existed, they were competitor to us and there's a few others emerged like FAB, pivoted into our space and they had a lot more capital play and act a lot more irrationally. So while you don't really want to worry about your competitors, normally. The actions of people that were much significant, more well-funded to us caused us to go raise money and, change our game at the game we were playing.So I think understanding the value chain, who the competitors are and where you can compete differently. So like, what's your unique accesses and how you can compete and how that lets you either compete completely differently or where do you have to overlap and value proposition and what the implications are? I'd build a much stronger hypothesis at the beginning. I think the second thing is, a team perspective. I think strategically mistakes we did is we kept a few people that were excellent performers, but bad culturally for too long. And so they create some ill will in our culture that hurt the productivity of other people. So we had some people are excellent. They were like, they're 10 times their former at half the cost. But what we didn't realize is by having them in the company too long they infected another five, six people and hurt their, ability to deliver value.I think, the third thing is I think in the marketing channels, we did the right thing by focusing what's winning and keeping portfolio activity, because every channel or message eventually changes. The ultimate vision stays the same, the ultimate positioning stays the same or can be changed over time, much slower than the channels and distribution. So I think we did the right balance of 70% investment on what's working in 30% in experiments. I think for some of the core business, we probably should have done less experiments and double down a bit more while it was working.I think those are high levels from running business. I think it's a lot and as you scale, it's all about the people, because we got to 45 people, 50 people at one point, it became either about recruiting, about setting the culture or about handling people issues. So I think realizing that as a business scales, you want to get the right leadership set that helps. I think as leaders, the CEO or founders, you're always going to be responsible for that, but the level of the, bench strength of the management team faster, would it have been helpful.Edward: That's helpful. So I want to go back on how you got there. So I have a theory that the things people do when they're in junior high school or early in high school affect their entire lives. How did you spend your time in junior high? What were you passionate about Back then?Alex: Comic books, reading, sports. Wasn't a big athlete, but I was a big fan of the Blue Jays and the Maple Leafs.Edward: What drew you to those things? Was it the math behind the baseball? Was it the money behind the comic books? Was it the Superman jumping over buildings? What, what drew you to those things?Alex: That's a good question. So two things which I think drew to most of my activities in my life, and I wouldn't say necessarily for comic books but is, I have an inherent desire and this is something I've realized later in my life is, that I like taking stuff apart, figuring out how they work and putting it together. Not necessarily physical things, but I like understanding how things are interrelatedly work. I just have an innate curiosity to figure things out. I say I'm numerically logically inclined, but it's not necessarily like, I'm not like someone who needs to do deep calculus. I think for comic books and reading I think and just reading. I was an avid reader, comics is just, was a great way to escape. It was fun to read. Just different ways of thinking, I guess, a bit of fantasy.I think just like reading in general, just to see in different perspectives. Reading in general is just a great way to explore a world without leaving and I think comic books as a kid was something that let you do it and it was superheros, but eventually as I got older, it was like stuff like Sandman, which was, it was more mythology. So I think it's a bit of escapism, I think that it's a bit of creativity. It's just a bit of ways to see the world differently and then eventually I started buying and selling comic books and that was, it was almost as much a challenge of as much enjoyment of reading. So originally started off to pay for my comic book collection because it was spending way too much. But then it was also a way to just figure stuff out, figure out, make the business work for lack of a better word.Edward: Those skills carry forward, the stuff you developed back then, how did that affect things later in your career?Alex: So, and this is a nature versus nurture question. Most people today, especially in the tech world, don't believe there's anything as business skills. They just think that, inherently you can learn everything and I, feel that, there's like business common sense, which I think I've naturally had and this helped me, nurture it and help me bring up sooner, faster. So like I understand clearly supply and demand. Like I went there and I had these words, I understand arbitrage. I would understand basic marketing. So it taught me lots of skills. People learn in college. It taught me a lot of just experiential experiences, with a lot of concepts that are important to business. I didn't have any experience with managing team, but like at this time this was before the internet and so I would see arbitrage opportunities by reading local newspapers, for example.So I'd buy stuff in Toronto and put them for sale in the States. Vice versa, I'd see stuff for under price in the States and sell them in Toronto. I had a whole business, so I had to understand profit and loss. I had to understand, I understand supply demand. I can understand, so I think there's a lot of basic business skills that I picked up that I had advanced learning. But I also think if I look at my career, I think I just have an innate understanding of some like common sense when it comes to business.Edward: Now you went to university in Montreal, McGill. How did you come out different from that experience than when you went in?Alex: Much more global view. I think, if you asked me before McGill I'd have probably said, I'm going to be right back in Toronto, probably may, my career mission, maybe being an accountant like my father. McGill had a, it still has a very international student body. It was just eyeopening to see people from all over the world and with all different ambitions and spend time with them.Alex: I had a roommate that just moved from Delhi a few years ago, years before McGill, I spent two years living with him. I like, one of my friends originally from Hong Kong, also people from small town Ontario, which didn't have the perspective I had growing up in Toronto. So I think you go there for the education supposedly. But I think with the education you get is from your peers and they change your perspective and they change how you view the world. I went right to New York after that. If I didn't go to McGill and didn't meet the people I met, I wouldn't have had, lack of a word ambitions our desire to go to New York and I wouldn't have gone into finance. So it, it changed my whole career trajectory.Edward: So let's talk about that. So let's say you went to York, the local university in Toronto, instead of going to McGill, how do you think your life would have been different?Alex: Well, probably lived at home for those four years. So right away. That's a whole different experience because living on your own, you have to do adulting. You have to clean your house. You have to be responsible for rent. Like basic life stuff, but you're not sheltered by living home and second aspect of not living at home is you spend a lot more time doing social stuff. Like my parents really didn't care what time I came home or not but like I had car, I'm sure if I came home a few nights at three o'clock in the morning, it would have been an issue. But when you live by yourself, you are responsible of yourself. You have your own social calendar. So I think, you get a bit more responsible taking care of place and budgeting and everything like that.I think it also gives you more Liberty to do what you want without any oversight and again, I'm the oldest of five so my parents just really didn't care about me because they thought I was responsible but I don't know. But I still think there's self pressure that it opens up. I think also I do think York, two things, it doesn't have an international group of people. It's a bigger university I think student body wise, but more homogeneous and how they think and it doesn't have, also one benefit of McGill's as an international alumni base and reputation, which also has benefited me, which I think York has is a strong school, but its reputation is probably limited to the Southern Ontario region.Edward: Where would you have ended up, like you wouldn't have gone to New York, you think you would have gone and taken a job as an accountant in Toronto?Alex: Like I probably go on accounting. Maybe I'd gone to one in the Bay Street, which is okay, I think. But Bay Street it's probably better destination out on the was 20 years ago at best would have been at Bay street, but probably been an accountant or, some professional service job.Edward: After you left Lehman, you went to San Francisco and then less than a year later, you went to London. How much of that was chasing the good opportunities and jobs and how much, what was the allure of new cities in places?Alex: I'd say it's more cities and places than a good job. To give context. So this was 2000, 2001. So as a Lehman doing Tech M&A, it's funny I didn't believe in the valuations of dot-coms, but what I saw was technology was going to change how business was done. So I wanted to get close to it and at that time, the experience you get as a 22 year old at working for these dot-coms was way beyond what you'd get historically. They come in and say, run a division, run marketing. So start off, I left Lehman to go to the company in New York, which wasn't working out and there was an opportunity that came to me via several contacts to say a couple of people I knew were, moving to San Francisco once said Hey, there's a great startup that I'm going to work at why don't you apply?So I went for that job and I wanted it because it was the ability to be close to where the actual what's happening and then you have to be honest, I was a bit disappointed with San Francisco at that time from, again as going for the experience of the startup, but also experience of being somewhere other than New York and other than East coast. And it's funny, I was, it was more at that time, San Francisco was more middle America and New York is. I think it's now much more like New York than it was in 2000, 2001. So we'll come in. I was working at, I was failing for a couple of reasons. One being the CEO and founder got really sick and so she was going to basically resign and the investors want to take the money back because it was a big bet on her.So when I knew that was going to happen, I said, you know what? I want to go outside of States. I want to see a bit of the world and I actually literally reached out to a colleague of mine, a senior VP of mine that worked with me at Lehman brothers in London. He was about to start a company and one of my friends from McGill was in Hong Kong and I asked them both what opportunities do you know? A week later I was in London interviewing with this ex former senior VP from Lehman brothers, learning about his company, meeting his founders and I left London with an offer and I was there two weeks later. So it was an ability to get out of North America, see a bit of the world, get a different culture. It was also another opportunity to continue working in tech and actually a more senior role and they had an interesting idea, which was worth pursuing.Edward: It sounds like that you were at a few different places that didn't work out. What were the biggest failure points in your career? Where did things not go as expected?Alex: I guess maybe I have a growth mindset. I don't think anything was really a failure, there's companies I worked for that don't exist and didn't work. But they weren't my companies. So I think the activities I did, I think in those companies were successful, but though either a strategy wasn't right. They didn't have enough funding and I learned a lot from them. Like if I look at companies that fail, so I worked one in New York, they were the first B2B marketplace and they raised a ton of money from a bunch of notable investors. I just think the timing was off and they were trying to do too much because they raised like a hundred million dollars, but we were trying to cover 30 markets and you'd have people raise $30 million just to cover excess apparel inventory. So we were trying to do a hundred markets with not having any traction anywhere.We have competitors doing every single market and, I just want some for market, for sub markets and even when I had everything that looked like it was ready to be in place. I had supplied and a man lined up at all those things, ready to create that market. The timing wasn't there.So like I remember they did a deal with Stanley works. Stanley works is going to put $400 million of excess goods on our marketplace, we're going to help them sell it and we're going to clear it, go to implement the steel with the CFO and CTO at Stanley Works. Drive up to I think it was Connecticut. They said, "Yep, we're all for this. We know we have $400 million of excess inventory. We don't know what it is or where it is". Their technology systems were not ready and then the people that like the jobbers or buyers that are brokers are going to buy stuff still will want to do stuff offline. So half the time we even did transactions, we've done offline and recorded online. The timing was not right and we were just too spread thin to actually to make it work. So that company didn't go there.Edward: So if that company had succeeded. What would have happened to your career? You've had a very different experience going forward, what would it happen?Alex: I don't know. Like even if I stayed at Lehman instead of going there, like the good thing is every change has a compounding impact on my career. If that worked out hypothetically, I could be much wealthier than I am that. Think about it, you have a startup in 2001, let's say it works out. The IPO out of had probably enough money to make some money that, and more importantly would have been an early person that has an exit or an IPO you to be in the flow with people and that ecosystem that could have probably invested and had many more opportunities based on that. I don't know what I'd be doing. Like, I don't know if I'd be a market builder because I was responsible for four different markets here and I was getting supplies, getting demands, some partnerships to build awareness and get, I guess I was doing some marketing that I think about there.So maybe it'll start something sooner. I don't know. It's hard to know. That, interesting is also if that company was started in 2008, instead of 2001, there was a hundred employees when I was there. I'd be probably in touch with those people because I think right now, occasionally I hear from one of the people, but there wasn't a social network. You didn't have personal emails. So it would have been completely different, if I say the Lehman Brothers, I could've be there till it went bankrupt and I could have still walked away with a lot of money. I'd have probably been in New York. I'd probably had a complete different perspective on what gets me excited, probably be an investment banker for so long. Your justification life is, how much money you make, which money is important but it's not the end all be all measuring stick for my life right now. So culturally I would have been different and opportunity to be different. So it's just hard to know.Edward: Let's, jump ahead. You went to business school, spent four years at McKinsey, came back to Canada, started HomeSav, you sold it. How did you figure out what to do next after HomeSav?Alex: So I had silver bronze handcuffs. So which means, I had incentives to stay at the choir, but once you get acquired, you have pressure to perform, but it's not the same as being a founder. So that was the time to start figuring it out. I actually thought I'd just start another business by now. That's actually the first thing I started doing, I found new co-founders. I thought I had problems and I tested some ideas. So one of the key learnings also, I guess, going back to the question about HomeSav is, after being a first time founder and selling something, you realize it's a 10 to 20 year journey for a really good outcome and building a real sustainable business. Every day you can get hit in the face or I have a huge celebration within 10 minutes and so I started exploring other ideas.I went through two or three different ideas where I got a team together. We explored it and I was much more critical about what information I have to learn to make a no go or go decision and how much passion I have to have. So try to ideal around providing technology for early education like kindergartens and Montessori schools. I did another idea, can't even remember what the other, second one was? Then as a third one, which is like class pass for hair salons, you can look at my hair, you can see I'm definitely a customer for that, but actually that, that, one's actually funny. I have four sisters, a wife, a daughter, my co-founder. They're also like just, we start off with doing classical blow outs and that one actually looks successful, two months in, we had 5,000 customers paying us a hundred bucks a month.You know the accounts were horrible though and we actually got offered venture funding and I think we did for another month and a half and said, like we're not passionate about this and we don't believe fundamentally you could have a create something that delivers values for all the stakeholders. You always, having leakage at one part of this business model. So we actually put a bullet in it. So I thought was start another company right away over a series of a year, the three companies, they put bullets in all of them. I started advising startups. So it wasn't clear and then, I sort of organically found what, I had the luxury of time to figure out what I wanted to do and I followed what I'm excited aboutEdward: You ended up, Managing director, co-founding Tech TO and then becoming a partner at AngelList and then launching your own VC fund. How many more jobs are you planning to do? Can you consider being the CEO of a social network and a payments platform for them simultaneously?Alex: I'm only goal is to be as talented and connected as Jack Dorsey. It's weird because I think a lot of people believed the only way to be successful is to have a clear end set of where you want to get to and build towards it. I do believe that increase your chances of success significantly. I think the other thing with the path I follow, which makes it more difficult is if I were inherently interested in doing stuff I enjoy and doing stuff where I believe adds value and which will eventually pay for it, pay for itself. So all these things are connected and I think by giving a lot to others without expecting, anything in turn has helped me build this career path. So like Tech TO was started when Jason who we both know, Jason Goldlist came back to Toronto, said had, I'm working remotely.I'd like to get involved with the tech ecosystem, I said, here's some opportunities. There're some things you can do to help improve the culture, the Kane or the Toronto tech ecosystem and we had both experiences, he'd be in Seattle, I've been in three other startup ecosystems. What do we bring the best from organizations we saw there? We just started doing what we thought would be best for the ecosystem that got, for lack of a better word product market fit. It wasn't planning on being an organization. I was planned on me like a three hour per month give back to the ecosystem and it's grown into something much bigger. We can get that later. So I started doing that is actually what happened was the timing was before I started Tech TO I was, actually going through a series of startups that I was seeing if I want to start one up, I advising a bunch of startups.So I started doing this three hours a month and then it start getting traction. So okay let me figure out what we can do to have a bigger impact and bigger impact that continue to grow. And because of that, and we've been advising startups, eventually AngelesList was looking for someone to launch a candidate and reached out to me. I wasn't looking for anything. So if you look at Textron, we're trying to help the ecosystem by helping people get knowledge faster, learn from others, faster, meet people faster and build awareness of what's going on in Toronto. One thing I never explicitly touch was we believed it was more capitalism ecosystem, but we didn't think this organization was well positioned for that. Angels reached out to me, spent like three months talking to them, their mission as an organization, as a company, it was very aligned with what I'm trying to do with Tech TO.They had the ability to bring capital and SQL system. So there was a natural fit there and to sort of live the mission I'm trying to live in and help him with another organization. So that's why I took on the role at AngelList. Then in that draw, I'll take up both of these.I started as an angel investing and I found I had good deal flow, good judgment and I had well positioned myself again. Love say the strategic. Maybe, if I was forced, I'd say this is what I'd like to do with my life. I would have strategically taken both these roles and built these up, but it wasn't. So I said, okay, here's an opportunity for me to further align myself with the companies I'm investing in by bringing more capital, more connections to them. So I've raised the venture fund based upon the leverage, basically all the different networks and all the different skill sets and learnings I've had and have a bigger impact on the ecosystem. So while it looks like three different jobs, they're all very correlated. They have synergies for lack of a better word. Do I want to take on more roles? No. Am I taking on too much right now? Probably will there be a shift in how I allocate my time between all three? Probably there's been shifts over the last few years. It'll probably be more shifts over in the next six months.Edward: Awesome. Thanks Alex. We're going to dive into more into Tech TO when we do part two of this interview, which should be released tomorrow. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marketingbs.substack.com

In this episode of the Beehive Capital Podcast, Alex Norman and Douglas Owusu discuss how to 1) maintain and grow customer base and 2) raise capital given the economic environment from the pre-seed perspective.

Alex Norman-Ross joins Arsy and Shady to discuss the state of Women's cricket in Canada! It's time to stop making excuses, acknowledge there is an issue and find ways to create a path to equality. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today we will be co-hosting Let's Cope on @klbpfm 99.1fm with our guests 9th District City Councilman @rexrichardson and Dr. Alex Norman. We'll discuss the issues we are facing today and how to fix them within ourselves and in the community//News: COVID19 Update x LBPD Cop gets Fired for Instagram Post//Weather, events, news, and local music sponsored by @longbeachdjs @lbcresources and @goodbuscatering. Send your music to longbeachlocaldj@gmail.com for placement on our podcast and playlists on Spotify and Soundcloud under "Long Beach Underground". You can listen to KLBP Radio in Long Beach on 99.1 or online at www.klbp.org/listen --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thedailydiddi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thedailydiddi/support

Welcome to the third episode of our Countdown to Collision from Home show that will showcase highlights at our upcoming conference coming June 23-25, 2020!In this episode of Countdown to Collision from Home, our host with the most Casey Lau welcomes guests:Alex Norman, AngelList Canadahttp://www.angel.coAngelList profile: https://angel.co/p/alexandernormanTechTO: https://www.techtoronto.orgTwitter: https://twitter.com/alexandernormanChris McCann, Race Capitalhttps://www.race.capital/Fintech Infrastructure 101 - Overview & Market Landscape: https://www.chrismccann.com/essays/fintech-banking-infrastructureNow is the Time to Act: https://www.chrismccann.com/essays/now-is-the-time-to-actTwitter: https://twitter.com/mccannatronAlex Mackenzie, Collision from Homehttp://www.collisionconf.com/investorsVenture from home: 3 investors joining us at Collision from Home: https://collisionconf.com/blog/investors-collision-from-home-vcTwitter: https://twitter.com/venturemackitalwith hosts:Casey Lau, RISEhttps://www.riseconf.comhttps://www.startupsgba.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylau_Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/casey_lauSunil Sharma, Techstarshttps://www.techstars.comhttps://www.collisionconf.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/sunil_extremeand in the Elevator Pitch:Vizzariohttps://www.vizzario.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/vizzario==================================================COLLISION FROM HOMETickets: https://www.collisionconf.comSpeakers: https://collisionconf.com/speakersStartups: https://collisionconf.com/startups/startup-programInvestors: https://collisionconf.com/investorsMedia: https://collisionconf.com/media==================================================Follow us:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollisionHQInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/Collisionconfhq/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collisionconf/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6MiQVyK_WaFlU5IvIT2b8A

We're BACK! We have three of us on the pod for the first time in 2020 as Joe and Will are joined by co-founder of The Serve Up NBA podcast, Alex Norman. Joe plays moderator as the lads go head-to-head on a quick fire 20 questions spanning the entire 2019-2020 NBA to-date! We discuss every team in this lively and discursive debate on the best (or funniest) NBA topics. Not one to be missed! Like, Five Star and subscribe if you're feeling generous!

Join in for a conversation with Alex Norman, Co-Founder of TechToronto, Head of Canada for AngelList and Partner of N49P Ventures. Through his various ventures and roles, Alex is an investor and tech entrepreneur who is building the Canadian tech ecosystem. TechToronto is on a mission to develop the technology and innovation economy in Canada through its wide-reaching events. AngelList is the startup investing platform that manages $1.8Bn and N49P is a VC fund for early-stage companies in Canada. Prior to these ventures, Alex was an investment banker for Lehman Brothers during the dot-com bubble. He worked in various startups in SF, NY and London, UK. He received his MBA from Wharton, became a management consultant for McKinsey and co-founded Homesav, one of Canada’s largest furniture e-commerce companies, that was later acquired by Rebellion Media. Given how interesting his journey has been, we talk through how he made decisions in each of his career pivots and the circumstances that existed at the time. We also cover what the early years of building communities are like, the mistakes he’s learned from, and his own unconventional beliefs.

What's the difference between meditation and mindfulness? And are these practices really as harmless and user-friendly as we are told? In the first of this two-part episode on mindfulness, we're joined by Dr Alex Norman of Western Sydney University. If you're interested in where mindfulness comes from, what we're doing with it now, and the potential dangers of utilising this ancient practice in a modern context, this is the episode for you. 

Travel: It’s a break, a getaway, a rite of passage. Religious pilgrimage is one thing, but even journeys for leisure can result in the traveller “finding oneself”. People who would never step foot inside a church or a temple at home do it all the time when they’re on holiday. Why? James Carleton and the God Forbid panel find out how your holiday might literally be good for your soul.

The lads and lady have returned to the void from their superhero adventures (physically) unscathed and ready to learn from their mistakes. They take a few moments to think about the strengths and weaknesses of Savage Worlds as a system and reflect on their experiences as super-players. Featuring a listener message from our friend Alex Norman, who created the theme music for the show! If you're interested in our new Birmingham Tabletop group, you can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1642935842481477/We couldn't do it without our Patrons! Patrick Rang, Charlotte Daughetee, and newcomer and longtime fan Ryan Nordness! You're keeping the lights on in this dark void.Become a Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/WTIIAlso take a look at our sponsors, Kraken Dice (we're giving away one more dice set for the next to sign up on our Patreon at any level... dollar dice, anyone?) https://www.krakendice.com/and Dog Might Games! You can get 15% off your first purchase from them with our promo code TURN at http://www.dogmight.com/

Travel: It’s a break, a getaway, a rite of passage. Religious pilgrimage is one thing, but even journeys for leisure can result in the traveller “finding oneself”. People who would never step foot inside a church or a temple at home do it all the time when they’re on holiday. Why? James Carleton returns to find out how your holiday might literally be good for your soul.

Alex Norman is a serial entrepreneur and tech community builder that is working to build Canadian tech communities across the country through events, connections, advice, and investment. He built arguably the top Toronto/Canadian based tech event: TechToronto, works with Angellist and runs an early stage investment syndicate. Listen and Learn: How Trump's immigration policies affect... The post The Implications and Evolution of The Canadian Startup Ecosystem with Alex Norman of Tech Toronto appeared first on The Syndicate.

Alex's lecturer begins the semester with a story of how he witnessed an initiation ceremony that involved penile sub-incision. As painful as this experience was for these kids, their faces were lit up with joy and happiness. But why? The answer...? Their religion. A person's belief can change a painful experience to a pleasurable one. This fascinated Alex and fueled his fascination with Religious Studies.

Live interviews with NDP MLA candidate Madeline Lalonde, and UBC aquaculture research Yangfan Zhang, and Alex Norman's weekly financial segment.

Andrew Seal, Sharon Nadeem and Holly Mackenzie-Sutter's report on the Don Cherry Night, Seher Asaf’s interview with Ellen Woodsworth, former Vancouver Councillor and Co-Chair of the Women Transforming Cities Society, and Alex Norman's weekly financial news report.

This week on News 101, News Co-director Andrew Seal interviewed BC Green MLA candidate Janet Fraser. News reporter Rohit Joseph interviewed AMS President Ava Nasiri to find out more about UBC’s plans for a new Bird Coop and stadiums. News 101 reporter Maham Kamal’s reported on the rally against Islamophobia. News 101 reporter Rohit Joseph interviewed Ian Gill, president of Discourse Media, and finally Alex Norman’s weekly financial news report.

This week on News 101, News Co-director Seher interviewed Jory, president of AMS Refugee Relief. News 101 Reporters Sharon, Rohit, and News Co-director Andrew reported on the protests at the Peace Arch against Trump's travel ban. News 101 reporter Kirthana report on the vigil held for the victims of the Quebec mosque shooting. News 101 Co-director sat down with journalist, Chris Arsenault. Finally, Alex Norman's weekly financial news segment.

This week on News 101, we have Jake's clark's review of Love and Information, Alex Norman's weekly financial report and a Jake Clark's discussion of the rise of extreme right movements across Canadian campuses.

This week on News 101 we have a on-the-scene report of the anti-trump protests in Seattle by News 101 Reporters Sharon Nadeem, Andrew Seal, and Flavia Santia. News 101 Co-director Seher Asaf and News reporter Francesca Elisabet interview Canadians as they react to the U.S election results. News reporter Edison Huang's interview with UBC students on the new transit fee. Sharon Nadeem's interview with a Veteran in honour of Remembrance day. Finally, News 101 financial correspondent Alex Norman's weekly financial update.

This week, News 101 reporter Anya Krystyna interviewed Masters of Political Science student James Hammond about the role of media in the U.S elections. News 101 reporter Yusheng Cai spoke to PhD candidate Eric Merkley to find out more about Superpacs and whether their influence on public opinion, and finally we had News 101’s financial reporter, Alex Norman’s financial news report.

On this episode of CanCon, TechTO's Alex Norman guest stars to explain how he brought AngelList Syndicates to Ontario, and the impact of tech on Toronto's economy. Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): “Gravedigger” by Lynne Hanson Ad music: Catmosphere - Candy-Coloured Sky, available under a Creative Commons BY-SA Attribution-ShareAlike license

This week News 101 co-director Emily Blake's interview with third year finance student Jason Kalirai on the Five Days for the Homeless Campaign. News 101 co-director Rohit Joseph and correspondent Megan Devlin's report on the innovative language program taking place at Tsleil-Waututh Nation. News 101 correspondents Alex Kim and Stefen Labbe's piece on Tracey Morrison, a resident of the Downtown Eastside who has a Bannock stall. Trans People Supporting Each Other and Pushing for Change in New Brunswick from Talking Radical Radio with host Scott Neigh. And News 101 financial reporter Alex Norman's weekly financial report.

This week News 101 co-director Rohit Joseph's interview with Julia Hanlon, brewmaster at Steamworks Brewing broadcast on International Women's day as part of a special segment on "Women in Science". News 101 co-director Emily Blake's piece on the controversial pro-life protest on campus including interviews with pro-life and pro-testers as well as organizers of a petition that UBC should have notified students and faculty about the protest. Rohit Joseph's interview with Darren Dahl, senior associate dean of faculty at UBC's Sauder School of Business on his recent study about welfare and reactions to ethical consumer choices. Finally News 101 financial correspondent Alex Norman's weekly financial update.

This week News 101 correspondents John Woodside and Sam Moore produce a piece on Street Thug Barbers, founder Ross Wilson talks about the non-profit providing free haircuts for those in need. News 101 financial reporters Alex Norman and Dylan Law update us on the latest financial and business news. News 101 correspondent Leo Coelho also gives a respective on Shindig 32. Finally News 101 correspondents Jaione Belza Guede and Emilie Rauschutz produce a piece on the AMS Bike Co-op.

This week a piece on the UBC faculty protest of the Board of Governors produced by News 101 correspondents Brent Holmes and Leo Coelho. News 101 co-director Emily Blake's interviews Dr. John Oliffe founder and lead investigator of UBC's Men's Health Research Program about men, masculinity and mental health. News 101 correspondent Eva Uden-Csenge interview UBC research Dr. Julian Davies about BC First Nations clay that is killing untreatable bacteria. News 101 financial reporter Alex Norman updates us with his weekly financial report. Lastly, News 101 aired an interview with Derek Book from People First Radio by Kevin Midbo and Nicholas Holt.

This week, News 101 correspondents Aliz Tennant and Eva Uguen-Csenge produce an interview with rockstar photographer Dee Liypingwell about David Bowie. News 101 correspondents Brent Holmes and Sam Moore produce an interview with Vancouver Sun crime reporter Kim Bolan about Sean Penn's Rolling Stone interview with El Chapo Guzman. News 101 co-director interviewed UBC Political Science professor Dr. Kathryn Harrison about BC's rejection of Kinder Morgan's pipeline expansion project. Lastly, News 101 financial reporter Alex Norman updates us on the latest financial and business news.