Podcasts about Sun Life Financial

On today's show, Lucia Bellafante joins us with updates on her journey of growth and change. Ryan Chin from Sun Life Financial will shed some light on investments and savings, the gist of everything we've learned with him on the show. Marathon runner Chris Nikik and Adidas revolutionizing running for people in the Down syndrome community. Jennie Bovard is excited to tell us all about it.  #accessibility #assistivetech #podcast #disability #blind #accessibilemedia #KellyCo Find Kelly & Company on YouTube!About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Learn more at AMI.caConnect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca

We are enough. Enough as a parent, enough as a person ; we are enough as we are, and our children are enough as they are. This is the idea Lucia Bellafante is here to help us grasp. We're going back to the basics with our money. Ryan Chin from Sun Life Financial will shed some light on starting a savings plan, since we all clearly need the extra cash right now! The Hot Docs Film Festival is North America's largest documentary film festival, which just wrapped up in Toronto, showcasing Canadian and international documentaries and non-fiction story-telling. Film Critic Michael McNeely joins us with his top highlights.  Find Kelly & Company on YouTube!About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Learn more at AMI.caConnect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca

Welcome to the Financial Freedom & Wealth Trailblazers Podcast! In today's episode,  we'll share how to safely invest, see consistent profits, and avoid losing money.Fadi Habib is a Professor, Coach, and Investor with expertise in engineering, business, and education. He is the Founder and CEO of Legacy Wealth Builder Academy, where he helps busy professionals build sustainable wealth through options investing.With over 30 years of experience, Fadi has worked with multinational companies like Schlumberger, Celestica, BlackBerry, and Sun Life Financial, gaining expertise in Project Management, Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain. He holds a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto and teaches postgraduate programs.As a Real Estate Investor and Options Investing Coach, Fadi created the G.R.O.W.T.H. System to simplify options trading and help investors achieve financial independence. His coaching programs empower professionals to generate income and build wealth strategically, without unnecessary risk.Fadi is a TEDx speaker, educator, and mentor, passionate about making wealth-building accessible. His mission is to help professionals achieve financial freedom through options investing while avoiding traditional investment pitfalls.Connect with Fadi  Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fadihabib/https://www.facebook.com/groups/wealth3doptionsdchallengehttps://www.instagram.com/fadihabib_legacywealthbuilder/https://legacywealthbuilderacademy.com/Grab the freebie here: https://legacywealthbuilderacademy.com===================================If you enjoyed this episode, remember to hit the like button and subscribe. Then share this episode with your friends.Thanks for watching the Financial Freedom & Wealth  Trailblazers Podcast. This podcast is part of the Digital Trailblazer family of podcasts. To learn more about Digital Trailblazer and what we do to help entrepreneurs, go to DigitalTrailblazer.com.Are you a coach, consultant, expert, or online course creator? Then we'd love to invite you to our FREE Facebook Group where you can learn the best strategies to land more high-ticket clients and customers. QUICK LINKS: APPLY TO BE FEATURED: https://app.digitaltrailblazer.com/podcast-guest-applicationDIGITAL TRAILBLAZER: https://digitaltrailblazer.com/

Abigail O'Connell and Marjory Robertson, senior counsel at Sun Life Financial, discuss the complexities of absence management, offering advice on preventing misuse and abuse of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Explore actionable strategies and insights to address potential issues without compromising employee support.Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/allthingsworkRate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Today on the show, our Wellness Coach, Lucia Bellafante gives us a better understanding of what your emotional and physical health looks like for you, why it's relevant to parenting, and creating a healthy family environment. What do secret remote control buttons, street addresses, and security guards have in common? Jennie Bovard of AMI-tv's Pretty Blind has the answer. And our Financial Planner Ryan Chin joins us from Sun Life Financial, to shed some light on market considerations, post-US-presidential election.Show Highlights:Show Intro (00:46)How to foster healthy family, healthy kids, healthy parents (03:43)What's something you would have learned about earlier in life if you were sighted? (25:01)Post-US election finance predictions (23:53)

We celebrate Small Business Month by re-airing an inspiring conversation from last spring with BDC President and CEO Isabelle Hudon, who has consistently shattered expectations and proven skeptics wrong throughout her impressive career in the corporate world. In her new role at BDC since August 2021, and as the first woman to occupy the position, Isabelle has not only held jobs that many doubted were within reach but has also excelled in them, leaving a trail of achievements from her time as Ambassador of Canada to France to her leadership roles at Sun Life Financial.Isabelle's tenure at BDC is marked by her relentless drive to put development at the forefront, significantly enhancing support for Canadian entrepreneurs, with a focus on increasing capital available to female founders. Beyond her executive success, she is a staunch advocate for women's advancement, co-founding The A Effect and earning accolades such as the Commander of the Legion of Honour for her contributions.In this episode, Isabelle generously shares her experiences of overcoming doubt, her strategic vision for creating a more inclusive and sustainable economy, and her dedication to paving the way for the next generation of women leaders. Tune in to explore the journey of a leader who turns skepticism into true power.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Welcome Back!It's a big day here at the #DBS:Lochlin is prepping to take his Yoga Teacher Training. Aside from being a hard-drinking, calf-roping, hearty 54-year-old man from Alberta, he's in touch with his sensitive side and has decided to become a Yoga Teacher! Lisa from Kootany Yoga School joins us to take Lochlin through what his plant-based, alcohol-free, neon dance party/two-week Yoga retreat in the desert looks like! (If he's a good boy, he gets to blow bubbles and sit in a hammock with his Yoga Buddy)Brandon Currie from Sun Life Financial joins us to discuss the Trudeau Government's unveiling of a new budget today that includes a hefty tax on the wealthiest people in Canada (and corporations, too). - Who pays?- Who ACTUALLY will end up paying?- Threshold for wealth tax- Where to find cheap booze and the reaction of the average Canadian to the idea the Government might go after Corporate greed. We end with some fun Trump news, talk about Sophie Trudeau's new book and an exciting line about how Justin wasn't "meeting her needs." I feel his pain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gianna is the Co-Founder and Practice Leader at Vita Assure, a Canadian brokerage firm that specializes in employee benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises in Quebec and Ontario. Vita Assure works with all insurance providers, including Canada Life, Manulife Financial, Sun Life Financial, and many more,to offer thousands of their clients' employees the best group insurance, group retirement, employee wellness, and other non-traditional employee benefits at a lower cost. Canada's workplaces are undergoing enormous transformation, and as a result, businesses must make significant employee benefit adjustments. Gianna has 20 years of experience working with the payroll, HR, and finance departments to create employee benefit plans that take into account the changing demands of the workforce. In the past, she developed an accelerated curriculum for insurance professionals seeking certification in group insurance and published 360 Degrees of Group Insurance, a training guide on industry best practices. Connect with Gianna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giannaricciardi/ https://www.vitaassure.com/#benefits This episode is sponsored by: DirectSuggest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.directsuggest.com/subscribe.php?id=6992⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use Promo Code: HumanHR Connect with Traci here: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/HRTraci⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to rate this podcast 5 stars, leave a review, and subscribe!   Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company Traci Chernoff is actively employed by. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hrtraci/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hrtraci/support

Isabelle Hudon has consistently shattered expectations and proven skeptics wrong throughout her impressive career in the corporate world. As the President and CEO of BDC since August 2021, the first woman to occupy the role, Isabelle has not only held jobs that many doubted were within reach but has also excelled in them, leaving a trail of achievements from her time as Ambassador of Canada to France to her leadership roles at Sun Life Financial.Isabelle's tenure at BDC is marked by her relentless drive to put development at the forefront, significantly enhancing support for Canadian entrepreneurs, with a focus on increasing capital available to female founders. Beyond her executive success, she is a staunch advocate for women's advancement, co-founding The A Effect and earning accolades such as the Commander of the Legion of Honour for her contributions.In this episode, Isabelle generously shares her experiences of overcoming doubt, her strategic vision for creating a more inclusive and sustainable economy, and her dedication to paving the way for the next generation of women leaders. Tune in to explore the journey of a leader who turns skepticism into true power.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Today we are talking with Charlotte McLaren about her career path and current role. She received her bachelor's degree from Davidson College in biology and economics and her Master's in Business Administration from UNC. Her previous work experience includes working as a Sales Analyst for Sun Life Financial, as a Manager of Corporate Development at Premier Inc., and as a Client Executive for IBM. She is currently a Strategic Account Director at Salesforce. We discuss: 0:41: An overview of her current role 1:37: Her typical roles and responsibilities  3:12: The typical process of her sales deals  4:48: The typical timeline of a sales deal 5:41: Examples of what client meetings are about 7:40: Examples of types of products she sells 8:48: How long people typically stay in this role 10:01: How success is measured 12:02: Benefits of the role 13:17: What a typical day is like  15:16: How social the role is 17:52: Challenges of the role  18:50: How she got into this role 21:16: Why she chose Salesforce 22:34: Prerequisites for going into sales 23:37: Pros and cons of getting an MBA for a sales job 26:28: Advice for how to be successful in a sales role

Building a winning culture of ethics and compliance requires efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of a program—including training, communications, and a code and conduct. But how do you ensure these elements all work together to create a meaningful and intentional learning experience? While also contributing to desired business outcomes? In this episode of LRN's Principled Podcast, host Carolyn Grace explores why a deep understanding of curriculum design is essential to developing an effective program. Listen in as she speaks with Erick Sawyer, the chief ethics and compliance officer of Inhabit, (recently rebranded from Inhabit IQ), and Damien DeBarra, the leader of Curriculum Design and Communication Strategy in LRN's Advisory group, about the learning curriculum they created by leveraging Inhabit's code of conduct.  For a transcript of this podcast, visit the episode page at LRN.com. Visit the Advisory page at LRN.com for more information on our curriculum design and communication strategy services.   Guest: Erick Sawyer As Inhabit's chief ethics and compliance officer, Erick Sawyer leads the company's day-to-day compliance operations to ensure Inhabit is in compliance with various regulatory requirements and employees are in adherence with internal procedures and policies. Erick creates strategic programs that are paired with tactical plans to positively impact customers and employees across the software ecosystem. Prior to joining Inhabit, Erick held various roles in legal, compliance, quality, and learning and development in the financial services industry. He has focused his career on bridging the gap between people and process to drive a culture of ethics and compliance, protecting the brand and reputation of leading organizations.   Guest: Damien DeBarra Damien DeBarra brings more than 20 years' experience to the instructional design and strategic workforce planning spaces.  As the Leader in Curriculum Design and Communication Strategy at LRN, he focuses on creating training solutions that ensure business buy-in and connect hiring practices to day-one learning roll-outs. In the last few years, Damien has helped organizations such as United Airlines, Sun Life Financial, SITEL, Astellas, MFS Investments, and SAP create 90-day action plans for their solutions and develop supporting communication strategies. He has worked with over 200 clients in areas ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals, call centers to nuclear plant manufacturing. Prior to LRN, Damien spent more than nine years as the Learning Solutions Director and Head of Instructional Design at Interactive Services. He has also worked as an instructional designer at NCALT, Electric Paper, and Epic. Damien received his BA from Maynooth University.   Host: Carolyn Grace Carolyn Grace is a content writer on LRN's global marketing team and co-producer of the Principled Podcast. She specializes in writing compelling stories about ethics and compliance that resonate across business segments, industries, and personas while hitting critical KPIs for traffic and engagement. Topics she frequently covers include ESG, data privacy and protection, DEI, the role of boards of directors and leadership, corporate training and e-learning, and ethical corporate culture. Prior to joining LRN, Carolyn was a writer and content strategist at Thinkso Creative, a boutique creative agency in New York City. At Thinkso, she wrote internal and external communications for clients in technology, nonprofit, law, logistics, and financial services sectors. Before that, Carolyn conducted trend research and cultural strategy at Horizon Media, specializing in entertainment, travel, media and technology, health and wellness, and food and beverage categories. Carolyn graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in American History and French Studies and a minor in Journalism.

The Canadian National Exhibition is back in Toronto; Community Reporter Stephen Ricci has this year's highlights (0:00). what is a Registered retirement Savings Plan? We learn the ins and outs with Ryan Bradleigh Chin, Certified Financial Planner at Sun Life Financial (13:16). Tara Parry, Director of Permanent Placement Services at Robert Half, presents the latest Canadian employment stats (28:14).

Building a winning culture of ethics and compliance requires efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of a program—including training, communications, and a code and conduct. But how do you ensure these elements all work together to create a meaningful and intentional learning experience? While also contributing to desired business outcomes? In this episode of LRN's Principled Podcast, host Carolyn Grace explores why a deep understanding of curriculum design is essential to developing an effective program. Listen in as she speaks with Erick Sawyer, the chief ethics and compliance officer of Inhabit, (recently rebranded from Inhabit IQ), and Damien DeBarra, the leader of Curriculum Design and Communication Strategy in LRN's Advisory group, about the learning curriculum they created by leveraging Inhabit's code of conduct.  For a transcription of this podcast, please visit the episode page at LRN.com.   Guest: Erick Sawyer As Inhabit's chief ethics and compliance officer, Erick Sawyer leads the company's day-to-day compliance operations to ensure Inhabit is in compliance with various regulatory requirements and employees are in adherence with internal procedures and policies. Erick creates strategic programs that are paired with tactical plans to positively impact customers and employees across the software ecosystem. Prior to joining Inhabit, Erick held various roles in legal, compliance, quality, and learning and development in the financial services industry. He has focused his career on bridging the gap between people and process to drive a culture of ethics and compliance, protecting the brand and reputation of leading organizations.   Guest: Damien DeBarra Damien DeBarra brings more than 20 years' experience to the instructional design and strategic workforce planning spaces.  As the Leader in Curriculum Design and Communication Strategy at LRN, he focuses on creating training solutions that ensure business buy-in and connect hiring practices to day-one learning roll-outs. In the last few years, Damien has helped organizations such as United Airlines, Sun Life Financial, SITEL, Astellas, MFS Investments, and SAP create 90-day action plans for their solutions and develop supporting communication strategies. He has worked with over 200 clients in areas ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals, call centers to nuclear plant manufacturing. Prior to LRN, Damien spent more than nine years as the Learning Solutions Director and Head of Instructional Design at Interactive Services. He has also worked as an instructional designer at NCALT, Electric Paper, and Epic. Damien received his BA from Maynooth University.   Host: Carolyn Grace Carolyn Grace is a content writer on LRN's global marketing team and co-producer of the Principled Podcast. She specializes in writing compelling stories about ethics and compliance that resonate across business segments, industries, and personas while hitting critical KPIs for traffic and engagement. Topics she frequently covers include ESG, data privacy and protection, DEI, the role of boards of directors and leadership, corporate training and e-learning, and ethical corporate culture. Prior to joining LRN, Carolyn was a writer and content strategist at Thinkso Creative, a boutique creative agency in New York City. At Thinkso, she wrote internal and external communications for clients in technology, nonprofit, law, logistics, and financial services sectors. Before that, Carolyn conducted trend research and cultural strategy at Horizon Media, specializing in entertainment, travel, media and technology, health and wellness, and food and beverage categories. Carolyn graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in American History and French Studies and a minor in Journalism.

The Pain & Beauty of Transformational Reinvention Get ready to be inspired! Join us for the next two episodes of the Leadership and Loyalty Podcast as we explore The Power of Reinvention with JUNO Award-nominated singer-songwriter, Peter Katz.  Discover how Peter transformed himself from a packed-to-the-rafters concert performer to an interactive keynote speaker delivering transformative experiences to top organizations.  Peter Katz is a JUNO Award & Canadian Screen Award-nominated singer-songwriter who has shared the stage and studio with artists like Grammy Award-winner Glen Hansard, Royal Wood, and Bahamas. His music and videos have been streamed almost 40 million times.   You may now be thinking, that's all very nice, but why is a Canadian Musician on the Leadership and Loyalty Podcast? The answer is that our guest completely reinvented himself. If you have ever sat through a boring keynote presentation, then maybe you need to bring in Peter Katz because he delivers his fully customized Keynote Concerts, transformative experiences combining stories and songs from a 15+ year international career to organizations such as TD Canada Trust, Sun Life Financial, Johnson & Johnson, the Library of Parliament, and Newsweek's top pediatric hospital in the world, Sick Kids Hospital. Website http://www.peterkatzspeaks.com http://www.peterkatz.com Social Media http://www.facebook.com/peterkatzmusic     https://twitter.com/peterkatzmusic    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-katz-1368bb6 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterkatzmusic Part 2) The Dangers of Normal Yearning The Pandemic, Over-Committed to Under-Resourced When Life as You Know it is Over - Buy a Camera Becoming the interactive Netflix Problem Lenses Vs Appreciative Inquiry Lenses On Your Knees Praying for The Return of Normal Sitting in The Driveway of Your Worst Fear Making Beautiful Music with Your People, Why They Care Curious to discover how tapping into the Anatomy of Meaning can #actualize your #business, #culture, #Leadership, and #tribe DovBaron.com  "Those Who Control Meaning for The Tribe, Also Control The Movement of That Tribe" #videopodcast #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #emotionsourcecode #neuroscience #emotional #meaning #emotional #logic #culture #curiosity #humanbehavior #purpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pain & Beauty of Transformational Reinvention Get ready to be inspired! Join us for the next two Leadership and Loyalty Podcast episodes as we explore The Power of Reinvention with JUNO Award-nominated singer-songwriter Peter Katz.  Discover how Peter transformed himself from a packed-to-the-rafters concert performer to an interactive keynote speaker delivering transformative experiences to top organizations.  Peter Katz is a JUNO Award & Canadian Screen Award-nominated singer-songwriter who has shared the stage and studio with artists like Grammy Award-winner Glen Hansard, Royal Wood, and Bahamas. His music and videos have been streamed almost 40 million times.   You may now be thinking, that's all very nice, but why is a Canadian Musician on the Leadership and Loyalty Podcast? The answer is that our guest completely reinvented himself. If you have ever sat through a boring keynote presentation, then maybe you need to bring in Peter Katz because he delivers his fully customized Keynote Concerts, transformative experiences combining stories and songs from a 15+ year international career to organizations such as TD Canada Trust, Sun Life Financial, Johnson & Johnson, the Library of Parliament, and Newsweek's top pediatric hospital in the world, Sick Kids Hospital. Website http://www.peterkatzspeaks.com http://www.peterkatz.com Social Media http://www.facebook.com/peterkatzmusic     https://twitter.com/peterkatzmusic    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-katz-1368bb6 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterkatzmusic Part 1) The Journey to "Much Different" Being Crushed under the Weight of Your Soul's Calling When Dreams Come True How the Best and the Worst Are Doorways to Reinvention A Packed to the Rafters Concert to Camp Councillor  Saying Yes to What Makes No Sense Shattering The Vessel That Held Your Dreams The Journey Toward Much Better, Much Worse, Much Different Music and Fight and Flight Curious to discover how tapping into the Anatomy of Meaning can #actualize your #business, #culture, #Leadership, and #tribe DovBaron.com  "Those Who Control Meaning for The Tribe, Also Control The Movement of That Tribe" #videopodcast #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #emotionsourcecode #neuroscience #emotional #meaning #emotional #logic #culture #curiosity #humanbehavior #purpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen as Jen sits down with Franchise Consultant, Executive Coach and Author, Rich LeBrun. Rich breaks down how he helps others develop their full entrepreneurial potential. Get to know Rich LeBrun: Having had the opportunity to own and operate several businesses throughout his thirty-year career, Rich LeBrun is passionate about helping his clients reach their financial freedom and secure their future through business ownership. Whether you are an executive out of work, a woman re-entering the workforce, a veteran returning home from service or someone just not ready to retire, Rich wants to help those in life's transition navigate through the exciting journey of selecting their franchise opportunity. Choosing the right franchise to own can be one of the most crucial and rewarding decisions one will make in a lifetime. Rich is ready to successfully guide you through this process to find freedom and true passion in owning your own business. Prior to becoming a franchise consultant, Rich was a Vice President with the largest commercial real estate company in Chicago. His clients included TIAA-CREF, Henderson Global Investors, Blackrock, MIRVAC, and Sun Life Financial. Rich LeBrun is passionate about helping his clients reach their financial freedom and secure their future through business ownership. Rich is a Certified Franchise Broker (CFB) Certified Commercial Investment Manager (CCIM) Get in touch with Rich: EMAIL: rich@lebrunadvisorygroup.com WEBSITE Get it Done Entrepreneurs Podcast LN FB YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simone Ince leverages her fifteen years of strategy, marketing and communications experience to drive success within her corporate career at Sun Life Financial and her digital production company, 43° North Productions Inc. Simone  shares her journey in balancing her leadership role in her "9 to 5" and while creating capacity to tap into her passion, producing film projects that have been recognized at notable events like the Toronto International Film Festival. Balancing success in both industries does not come easy. Simone talks about how she navigated the psychological struggles she faced trying to fit into and navigate non-diverse environments. She credits her resiliency and grit to her blended upbringing as a Trinidadian-Canadian.

One thing we know for sure - everything changes. And it seems to happen at an even faster pace! Join Derek Lackey, President of the Direct Marketing Association of Canada and Publisher of Blazon. Online as he moderates 3 experienced thought leaders in the digital space through a series of high-level issues you need to be aware of. This session will change the way you think about digital marketing.  Joan Brehl, President, of the Alliance of Audited Media will address the issue of "audience proving" which has become an increasing area of concern for marketers. "How do we know if traffic counts (clicks) are being manipulated?"  Kevin Adema, Managing Director at Emissary Insights, and Carolyn Tracey, Director, Direct Response Marketing at Sun Life Financial will discuss the shift we are experiencing as Digital Marketing comes of age. We have entered the Dialogue Age and if you have any hope of engagement with your brand fans, this conversation is a must!Check out upcoming DigiMarCon Digital Marketing, Media, and Advertising Conferences & Exhibitions Worldwide at https://digimarcon.com/events/

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for Spot On Insurance Ryan Sachtjen is the Co-Founder and CEO of ThreeFlow, a company that's described to be the first Benefits Placement System exclusively designed for employer benefits brokers & carriers. Ryan founded ThreeFlow to help eliminate administrative complexities that dominate the buying, selling, and managing of insurance products and services. Their goal is to streamline workflows between employer clients, brokers, and carriers. Before founding ThreeFlow, Ryan served as the Senior Stop Loss Specialist at Sun Life Financial, one of the largest insurance companies in the world.  Ryan joins us to discuss what ThreeFlow mission and the problems he wishes to solve in the insurance industry. He shares his experience in the corporate world, working with one of the largest insurance companies and explains the importance of intentionality when you want to launch a new product in any industry. Ryan discusses how ThreeFlow benefited from the pandemic, their growth rate, and how many people work with them now compared to two years ago. Ryan also shares his thoughts on where he believes legacy carriers are currently heading in regards to growth strategies. “Efficiency unlocks growth, growth unlocks workflows, and all those workflows unlocks intelligence.” - Ryan Sachtjen Today on Spot On Insurance: Where Ryan grew up, his childhood, and how he found his path to insurance Ryan's passion for fishing and the best way to fish for musky What Ryan observed about the employer benefits space Transitioning from the corporate world to building a tech startup The frustrations Ryan experienced while being part of a large company What ThreeFlow is and the products they offer Being intentional in the products and services your company provides How the pandemic accelerated their business growth What Ryan observed with transition rates between carriers in the last two years Ryan's thoughts on where legacy carriers are headed in terms of growth strategies Key Takeaways: Growing and learning is key. Big companies are stable and allow for growth, but they can be rigid on how fast you can grow. Connect with Ryan Sachtjen: ThreeFlow Ryan Sachtjen on LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

In Sales the stakes are high. And for company's growth it is important to get it right.Thanks to multiple options of Sales engagement softwares which streamlines the sales process through integrations which enables companies to combine their sales and marketing efforts to create personalized and automated sales journeys.In today's episode of 100x Entrepreneur, we have with us Yamini Bhat, Co-founder & CEO, Vymo; i.e An intelligent sales engagement platform for financial institutions.Started in 2013, Vymo is used by 300,000+ Sales Reps across 65+ Enterprises such as HDFC Bank, SBI Life Insurance, and Sun Life Financial among others.While most SaaS startups go global from Day 1, Vymo is one of the few Indian SaaS companies which scaled to more than $10M ARR with India Enterprises as clients.During the episode, catch Yamini sharing why did they chose to focus on BFSI, how did they brought awareness for both their team and customers about their product and much more. Notes - 01:33 - Intro03:05 - Career background in Sales Transformation at Mckinsey which led her to Vymo06:48 - Family background and getting into BITS Pilani & IIM Bangalore?14:58 - Quitting Mckinsey and identifying the problem statement to startup17:29 - Till Series-A being focused on a horizontal solution20:53 - Zoho Sponsored – Prashant Ganti on Where do founders struggle with Payroll and how can they fix it?23:04 - Milestones during Vymo's journey26:26 - Key challenges with team and customers early-on28:56 - Convincing the first few BFSI customers for an average contract value of $350K31:54 - Building a SaaS behemoth from India and then expanding globally36:16 - Her 0 to $10 Million ARR playbook for SaaS-entrepreneurs in IndiaAlso, try out a 30-day free trial of Zoho Payroll, and simplify your Payroll journey as an entrepreneur!https://zoho.to/zoho-payroll

What you'll learn in this podcast episode Good training is not quick to create. It takes time, effort, and years of instructional design experience. And too often, best-in-class training gets derailed by inadequate communications. An effective, attention-grabbing communications strategy is just as important as the quality of the learning itself. How can companies ensure that they're designing training and communications that produce positive learning experiences and—ultimately—business outcomes? In this episode of LRN's Principled Podcast Damien DeBarra, leader of Curriculum Design and Communications Strategy at LRN, and Tomaso Manca, learning director at LRN, discuss the importance of intentional curriculum design when developing corporate onboarding. Listen as the two talk about what best practices organizations should consider in their approach.   Principled Podcast Show Notes [1:28] - What is meant by the idea of campaigns, not courses? [3:47] - Best practices for incentivizing learners. [6:11] - The benefits for learners. [7:31] - How does LRN approach this campaign-based strategy? [9:46] - Examples of ways to retain the attention of your audience. [11:54] - Tactics used by LRN to bring the idea of campaigns, not courses to life. [15:00] - Tips to ensure people don't feel overwhelmed by your campaign. [17:30] - The LRN difference in this approach. [20:40] - Advice for people looking to implement this approach for the first time. Featured Guest:  Tomaso Manca has created exciting learning events for more than 20 years. As a Learning Director at LRN, he works with clients to create engaging learner experiences that support behavioral changes.  Before joining LRN, Tomaso spent more than six years as a Learning Manager at Interactive Services. Prior to that, he worked as Best Practices Global Learning Manager at Thomson Reuters, supporting the learning of their Sales Organization.  Tomaso holds an M.A. in Economics from Yale University.       Featured Host:  Damien DeBarra brings more than 20 years' experience to the instructional design and strategic workforce planning spaces.  As a Senior Advisory Learning Solutions Manager at LRN, he focuses on creating training solutions that ensure business buy-in and connect hiring practices to day-one learning roll-outs. In the last few years, Damien has helped organizations such as United Airlines, Sun Life Financial, SITEL, Astellas, MFS Investments, and SAP create 90-day action plans for their solutions and develop supporting communication strategies. He has worked with over 200 clients in areas ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals, call centers to nuclear plant manufacturing. Prior to LRN, Damien spent more than nine years as the Learning Solutions Director and Head of Instructional Design at Interactive Services. He has also worked as an instructional designer at NCALT, Electric Paper, and Epic. Damien received his BA from Maynooth University.     Principled Podcast Transcription Intro: Welcome to the Principled Podcast. Brought to you by LRN. The Principled Podcast brings together the collective wisdom on ethics, business and compliance, transformative stories of leadership, and inspiring workplace culture. Listen in to discover valuable strategies from our community of business leaders and workplace change makers. Damien DeBarra: Good training is not quick to create. It takes time, effort, and years of instructional design experience. Best in class training is too often ruined by inadequate or authoritarian style communications. An effective attention grabbing communication strategy is just as important as the quality of the learning itself. So, how can you ensure that you're designing training and communications that produce positive learning experiences and ultimately positive business outcomes? Hello, and welcome to another episode of LRN's Principled Podcast. I'm Damien DeBarra, the leader of curriculum design and communication strategies at LRN. Tomaso Manca: And I'm Tomaso Manca, learning director at LRN. As co-host for this episode, we are going to be talking about the importance of intentional curriculum design when developing corporate onboarding, and what best practices to consider in your approach. All right, Damien, let's dive in. Something I've been hearing a lot at LRN is the idea of campaigns and not courses. What do we mean by that? Damien DeBarra: So campaigns, not courses, it's taken from the name of a talk we did recently at the Learning Technologies Conference in the UK just a month or two ago. And it's reflective of a conversation, which we have a lot here at LRN, which you hear in production, in our delivery teams and in the advisory team where I work. And that is the... We often semi-jokingly refer to it as, "the tragedy." "The tragedy" is that, we see world class learning materials being delivered to the business with a sort of, "or else" style communication. So if you think about it like, the client comes to us and says, "look, it's really important for us to roll out this training initiative around..." For example, B E and I, we make them a world class e-learning course. We develop a brilliant interactive classroom version of that for those who can't do online. We animate fully bespoke, beautiful videos. There's a whole plethora of support materials ready for the learners to help apply to the job. And the people who've partnered with us are really super psyched and can't wait for the business to get at this. But then the email goes out saying, "Hey, do this course by Friday, or else." It's devastating to your efforts, because as we sometimes like to joke a little bit, people who take online training, particularly online training, they're a little bit like people who ring call centers. And that is that they're already slightly irritated before they get to you. And if you do anything to give them an opportunity to opt out, to give them an opportunity to let that email slide down the inbox and just be ignored, they'll likely grasp it. And it's not because people don't want to learn on the job, it's simply that it's one email and another hundred inside of the day. They've probably got a job to do. They've already got training. They might be behind on... So any kind of blunt order to do a course really doesn't help. So instead, what we try and do is catch people's attentions and then incentivize them, or if you like, seduce them or draw them towards actually exploring those learning assets. Tomaso Manca: Very interesting, Damien. Can you share the best practice for incentivizing learners? Damien DeBarra: Sure. Well, we tend to do it slightly differently for... with each client, with each partner and differently for each communication strategy, depending on what's being taught or what needs to be learned. But there does seem to be an emerging best practice and it is nascent, it's really emerging, but that is the move away from what you might call the one and done training deployment towards a more campaign based approach. Campaigns, they're spread out over slightly longer periods of time. The amount of minutes a learner spends in their chair doing the training should be the same, or if even possible, less than whatever they did the previous year. But the campaign is spread out rather. And it's made up... The idea is use microburst trainings and snappy communications. Really engaging videos, try and keep them under one minute, two minutes, maximum. Job aids with exploratory questions to help you focus, and then whatever the medium, whatever the channel, we try and focus on using simple repeated messaging across a period of time in multiple channels.  And if possible, we try and get that messaging going through the business, not just from an actor, as aware in a voiceover, but rather from real people within the organization. So real people within that business, diverse voices and if possible local leaders. So it brings a degree of authenticity to it, but again, back to that idea of, we need to catch people's attention. So whatever communication it is you're sending out around your training launch, it really needs to get people's attention. It has to stand out from the other 99 emails that you might have received that day. The response we want is, we want people to see a headline in an email and go, "oh, what's that?" And click to open it. And it's... It is about drawing people in and avoiding the language you normally associate around training. The very instructional designer language, the very people and culture departments. So human resources department's language, moving away from all that language around learning and trying to make it sound and feel not like training but more like a marketing campaign for something really cool. That's going to make you better at your job. Tomaso Manca: So we're talking about using language that draws the learner in, within a campaign based strategy. What are the benefits for our learners? Damien DeBarra: Well, there's a number of them, as we said, the first one is to try and take the sting out of being asked to do training when you've already got a multiple... a long series of tasks to do in your day. So as we said, we know people, a lot of people... if we give them an opportunity to leave that email alone, they will. Also... I alluded to this a couple of months ago, that language of instructional design we're all kind of used to hearing, "by the end of this course, you will be able to..." Whilst that has its place, if we can use a different kind of tone and approach, what you might call a more magazine style of writing, it's much more human. It's much more relatable. And it benefits the learner because, basically we want to try and increase and drive engagement.    So it's about trying to make the materials not sound like training, it's something that's going to be where you're being talked at. And the benefit of the learner is, as I say, primarily engagement. Keep them guessing, kind of engaged in thinking, "what's going to happen next? What's this about?" You've told them there's something in it for them, but using good copywriting and clever headlines, and also simple questions to draw people into wanting the answers to those questions. So the benefit, I'd say probably in summary, if you were to reduce it to one word, it would probably be engagement. Tomaso Manca: And how does LRN approach this campaign based strategy? Damien DeBarra: Well, like I said, it's different for every partner, but there are common tools. So, the idea is to have a carefully targeted communication strategy that is, we determine what the core messages are that we want in the comms campaign. We determine when we want to release them. Not everything should go out at the same time. And we want to repeat those as a series of simple focus messages through multiple channels. So yes, the email is the obvious one, because that's... things go to the inbox. It's the primary point to contact, but we also like to use internal communications channels. So for example, if you're within the Microsoft Office environment, as many of our clients are, let's start pushing stuff through Microsoft teams or through Yammer or through Slack, if that's where your environment is for internal discussion. And also, it doesn't have to be digital. So for example, we create off, sometimes physical assets. So posters that go on walls in common areas within manufacturing environments is a classic one. Tent cards that sit on tables with a QR code. Again, seductive headline. "What's that about?" You take your phone out, maybe scan a QR code and it launches you to a 62nd advertisement about the campaign. So we do it a multiplicity of different ways, but the idea is that we work with you, your partners and communication specialists within those partners, to create a calendar strategy that's tailored for your needs. It's about getting the right messages and the right headlines delivered in the right channels. It's important to spread the messaging across different channels to make sure that we hit everybody in as many places as we can, at the same time as trying not to oversaturate the business with too many communications. So it's a bit of a balancing act between those two things. Tomaso Manca: These are great points, Damien. I think it's important to make sure, as you were saying, to cut through the noise. Ensure that the learners hear what they need to hear in a form that resonates and connects with them. You want to engage and excite people, as you were saying. Damien DeBarra: Exactly. You do. You want to engage and excite people. And in fact, I'll just throw the microphone back to you for a second and ask you. You've written stuff like this as well, and had a lot of experience of this at the deployment level, at the individual communication level. Could you give us a couple of examples of what that looks like tactically? Some of the approaches and ideas you've used. Tomaso Manca: Well there are a few things to keep in mind, first of all, talk about real people and real issue that will resonate with your audience. And use messages that are simple and direct. For instance, with a client of ours, a large multinational food conglomerate, we have scheduled design workshops that focus on creating targeted messages. Representatives from the target audience are invited to each workshop and they help tailor the message and provide immediate feedback on whether the message will resonate with their peers or not. You also want to deliver those messages using multiple formats to ensure you capture the attention of your audience, something you already touched upon. A good example is a communication program you are creating for a large chemical company. Every month, we generate a message that fits within the client's larger communication initiatives. And so far we used a variety of medium. We use graphically announced email blasts. Actual poster to be placed in the client's office, and short videos. We plan on adding podcasts and user generated video content next. And speaking about medium, the choice of medium barriers depending on the message and the desire to impact. You want to ensure that the content and the format go hand in hand, that they're aligned and true to your brand, your voice and your audience. The feedback we keep receiving from our clients is that these tips really help engage in their audiences as the messages come across as relevant, flexible, and timely. I know I covered only a handful of examples, so I'm going to bounce it back over to you then and ask you, what additional tech do we use at LRN to really bring campaigns, not courses, to life? Damien DeBarra: So it's a little bit of the kitchen sink approach. Our strategies leverage the full LRN toolkit. So we've mentioned multichannel approaches like, using emails, using online training, but we also can design virtual classroom events. There's the email and comms campaigns I've mentioned. Internet, banner adverts, SharePoint, or WordPress built websites, to back up the training materials. But we also have our... We have a campaign manager tool, which allows you, the client, to log into the LRN platform, plan out the entire comm strategy, put all the copy... and schedule the entire thing, to send out the emails or the comms at exactly the time you want weeks and months in advance. And it enables you to do a load of work up front and then sit back and let the system take care of it. Ultimately, we can write the... work out the comm strategy for you, write the copy and the headlines and provide the visual assets, and then hand them over to the partner to deliver themselves. This is a 50-50 split on what partners want. Some want to control that release themselves internally, and others want us to do everything for them, or have a tool that does everything for them. But we use everything, job aids and videos, microsites. Also help lines, chat channels in teams and Slack and other tools like that. And then crucially there's one overlooked thing, which is leader accountability programs. In the past, we've grandly called this, the accountability principle. And that's a slightly fancy pants way of saying something quite simple but very important. And that is... That if you bring leaders into the process of the training, it has a dramatic effect. So if you consider the two... the following two ideas... following two communications, "Hey Tomaso, I want you to do this training course by the end of the month." That's of relative interest. If I say in the communication, "Hey, Tomaso, I need you to do this training by the end of the month." And one week afterwards, your leader slash manager is going to have a conversation with you about this for 10 minutes. I think your interest level, your amount of skin in the game dramatically increases. And an even better version of that is, "Hey Tomaso, do the course." Now then you're going to talk to your leader, "and by the way, this affects, or connects to your annual performance review." That's a really powerful incentive. So, a leader accountability and leader involvement, or just general accountability for your participation in training is very, very powerful. So it nudges the learner, we think, from being potentially passive, into a very active role within their own learning journey. Tomaso Manca: I could see that having clear incentives linked to the overall job performance is a very powerful motivator. I really like, also, the imagery you used of the kitchen sink approach. And I'm also thinking that some people might hear this expression and worry that it could lead to information overload. What are some tips to make sure that people don't feel overwhelmed by your campaign? Damien DeBarra: Yeah, it's a really important concern because it can go too far. I saw a campaign recently we were designing, when it was getting out of hand. We were sending out, potentially discussing sending out 8, 9, 10 communications around something which was actually only a 30 minute training course. And that's probably far too excessive. So you have to work with the partner to make sure that we're not overdoing it. And also, it's about being judicious and careful in what you say in the communications. So two obvious things to say, the first of which is, if you're sending somebody an email about a training initiative, make it short. Make sure that the email is written as snappily, and as eyecatchingly as the training should be written itself. And then the second thing is, if you're worried that people are getting too many communications and there's too much training and too much time spent on training is a common complaint we hear.      Actually make a virtue of the issue of time. So for example, you can say to the learner, "put the time into the title." So let's say something like, "the 20 minute code of conduct training." Okay, that's a very awful title, but put the time into the title and say something like, "invest 20 minutes in doing this now. And you'll be prepared for your annual review." "Spend 30 minutes on this training course, and you'll be able to do this, this, and this in your job." So again, it's back to what you and I often talk about the whiffing. The, "what's in it for me?" Explain to the learner how much time... how little time you want them to spend. In fact, "look, we've reduced it to 20 minutes, because we've heard you, there's too much training. It's taking too long. We heard you, it's now down to 10 minutes every month." So again, if it's a campaign and it's spread out across a quarter, rather than asking them to do a 40 minute course, tell them, "you're going to do 10 minutes every week for the next four weeks. And as a result, you're going to be safe in your job. The company's going to benefit and you'll be ready for your performance to do... and you'll be able to serve your customers and our communities and our shareholders." And so on. So I would say if you're worried about them... if the partners expressing their concern or you have a concern about there being too much time spent on this, or if it's just overload, make a virtue of talking about how it actually saves time in the long run. Tomaso Manca: Makes sense to me. And when it comes to this approach, what do you think is the LRN difference? Damien DeBarra: So I could probably talk to you all day about tech and campaign managers and our disclosure tools and how there's a lot of technology to talk about. But actually, sometimes I think that the power of good copywriting can't be underrated. So we deploy a lot of cutting edge technology to drive solutions, but sometimes the most powerful tool we've got is one simple eye-catching headline. So we know, as we've just been discussing, that learners are time poor. They're training wary, so we place a strong emphasis on getting their attention using snappy headlines to drive people to the training assets. Tomaso Manca: Interesting. Can you share some more examples of successful copywriting? Damien DeBarra: I can probably share a few headlines. I won't name the partners themselves, but one springs to mind is, Large North American Financial Firm. That's as far as I'll go in describing it. And their problem was, very much like we were just discussing, learners getting way too many communications around having to do training. The communications were a bit on the blunt side, borderline rude in one or two... in cases. And learners were telling us via data in surveys and in focus groups that they were just really quite fed up with this. So the approach we took was, we knew that we had to get their attention in five to 10 seconds. Getting their eyeballs or they were gone. So what we did was, we opened up a campaign, and the first email in the campaign, the headline said, and it was deliberately written in capital letters. It said, "I can't wait to do compliance training this year." And then when you clicked on the mail, the next line was, "said, no one ever." That's the headline to grab your attention. And then the next thing is, it said, "we hear you. We've got it. You've told us through focus groups that it's taking too long to do training. So what we've done is, we've reduced everything down to 20 minute buckets per quarter or per month." I think it was. Another example was, from the same campaign in fact, was that, for reasons which aren't entirely understood or there seems to be a different set of reasons for different clients, fishing scans spike in August and September. So what we did there was, we sent out an email. I think it was in August and the headline in that one was, "you are a danger to yourself and others." So deliberately provocative headlines. And there's about 12 different subjects in that communications campaign, but they all took that approach. I hesitate to call them click bait headlines, because that's an awful term, but it was something designed to make you go, "what? What's that?" And hopefully you click. Again, that principle of having got their attention with the headline within 30 seconds or even 30 words. You should tell them in the first paragraph this is why you've clicked and this is what you're going to get and how long it's going to take you to do it. And again, that thing, the whiff and "what's in it for me" explaining that, if you do this, it will make you better at your job, et cetera. So getting their attention and explaining what the value is for them. Tomaso Manca: And I can see that it all boils down to writing. Damien, you've touched... certainly you've touched on a lot of great points about the value of taking what we are calling a campaign, not courses, approach. And I think this will inspire a lot of our listeners to consider for their own training. So what advice would you give to people who are looking to implement this approach for the first time? Damien DeBarra: Well, at the risk... That's a great question. So at the risk of potentially starting with something negative, get ready for resistance. A lot of the times the heartbreaking thing we hear sometimes when we're talking to our partners is, I kind give them this pitch and then they say, "that's brilliant. That's never going to work here." See, it's that classic line. "That's fantastic, now let me tell you why I won't work for our company." And it's because a lot of people are wedded to the particular calendar of release at one time of the year. And we understand that's a necessity for certain partners and clients, particularly if it's a very big program. We understand why they might want to get it all done in one quarter so the learners don't feel it's dragging on over the year. But if you have one particular smaller training initiative, you might consider that campaign based approach, but get ready for resistance. People will be skeptical about it. Some folks just won't want to do it. You also, when you get into doing communications around this, you'll also need to bring in other partners from across the business. So traditionally, if you're the training manager at a company, small to medium enterprise, I don't know, a couple of hundred staff, the training department might be you... might be just one person. But now you're talking comm, so you've got to bring in your communications team. They have their own calendars. They have their own priorities for things that need to be communicated to the business. And a common one we hear is... from our learning and development partners is, "that's great, but the communications team are already telling me there's too many communications." So get ready for that conversation. Get ready to try and influence the other stakeholders in your business to understand the benefits of taking this different approach. And to do that, you might try and arm yourself. This is easier said than done. Too massive, right? But you might try and arm yourself with a case to make that change. And that's in the form of some data. So are you able to get a survey from your current learners on... let's say on your last year's training on, how your learners liked it? Get that survey data. Now that might be painful because that survey data might reveal that they really don't like the training and it can be hard not to take that personally. And you might think to yourself, "do I really want people in the business scene, the feedback we're getting?" And an even more powerful... Sometimes in addition to a cluster of data from a large number of learners, is anecdotal information taken from focus groups. So a classic trick... not trick, but a classic approach we've done a few times is to bring in a group of learners into a focus group. Keep the training and development people out of the room. That might sound cruel, but you want people to feel free to speak freely. And of that five or six people, you might have a bit of a spectrum of learners. That is saying a couple of learners who have been in the business a number of years, who'd probably be training wary, that might be a bit tired of all this. And maybe a couple of learners who are newbies who've just gone through the training, have not yet been at the company long enough to be completely drawn into the culture, and they can often give you very fresh observations. So I suppose what I'm saying is, get ready to have the conversations and get ready for that resistance, but also try to strike a balance. As I said, if there's a possibility you can overdo this, where you can go hog wild, go crazy and start communicating to the business on everything. And that can become even more irritating than the blunt once a year communication. So there's a balance to be struck all the time. I hope that answers your question. Not sure I have. Tomaso Manca: Oh, absolutely. It does. And it opens up a lot of other questions. You and I can probably be talking about strategy for the rest of the day, but it looks like we are out of time for today. Damien DeBarra: Yeah, we should probably wrap it up. And it's always great talking to you about this stuff Tomaso. Thanks for the time. Tomaso Manca: Likewise. And thanks to our listeners. My name is Tomaso Manca. Damien DeBarra: And I'm Damien DeBarra. And I'd like to thank you all for listening to the principal podcast by LRN. Outro: We hope you enjoyed this episode. The Principled Podcast is brought to you by LRN. At LRN, our mission is to inspire principled performance in global organizations, by helping them foster winning ethical cultures, rooted in sustainable values. Please visit us at LRN.com to learn more. And if you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, Google podcasts, or wherever you listen. And don't forget to leave us a review.  

On this episode of The Global Exchange, Adriana Vega speaks to Sarah Goldfeder, Mark Agnew, and Victor Gomez about the growth of e-commerce since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to expand it further. This episode is an excerpt from our Annual State of Trade Conference, made possible thanks to the support of CGAI's strategic sponsors, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, and conference sponsors Amazon, the Reisman Chair in International Economic Policy at Carleton University, and UPS Participants' bios Mark Agnew is the Senior Vice President, Policy and Government Relations at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. https://www.cgai.ca/mark_agnew1 Sarah Goldfeder is a government relations and strategic policy professional with experience in both government and the private sector. https://www.cgai.ca/sarah_goldfeder Victor Gomez is Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs at Sun Life Financial https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/victor-gomez Host bio: Adriana Vega is currently the Director of International Banking Communications at Scotiabank https://www.cgai.ca/adriana_vega Recording Date: 8 March 2022. Give 'The Global Exchange' a review on Apple Podcast! Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on Linkedin. Head over to our website www.cgai.ca for more commentary. Produced by Charlotte Duval-Lantoine. Music credits to Drew Phillips.

Laura Dyrda shares the latest news in the Dental + DSO spaces.

Priscilla Sims Brown, President & Chief Executive Officer of Amalgamated Bank, shared the story behind her title with us on May 8, 2022.Priscilla is a multi-national board director and C-suite executive with 30 years of financial services experience. Prior to joining Amalgamated Bank she was the Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where she focused on rebuilding trust and pride in the bank with direct responsibility for end-to-end marketing, branding, stakeholder insights, government and public affairs, and environment and social policy.Prior to Commonwealth Bank, Ms. Brown held senior positions at AXA Financial, Inc., Sun Life Financial, and Lincoln Financial Group. She has advised several digital startups and served as the Chief Executive Officer of Emerge.me, a digital health insurance broker.She was a member of the AXA Financial US Executive Committee, serving as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), where she directed all aspects of US marketing and led global digital marketing initiatives. Prior to AXA Financial, Ms. Brown served as CMO at AmeriHealth/Caritas, where she developed a new go-to-market strategy for the largest Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medicaid company in response to the Affordable Care Act. At Sun Life, Ms. Brown served as CMO and Chief Strategist, where she negotiated and managed Sun Life Stadium naming rights, Pro Bowl, Super Bowl and other major events with the Miami Dolphins NFL football team.SUE SAYS"Priscilla did not grow up in what society would describe as traditional. She was left by her parents in the U. S. and adopted so that her mother could return to Ethiopia as the first woman to serve as a Senator there. Priscilla describes herself as having both the genetic makeup of her biological mother as well as the influences of her adopted mother. Both shaped her and led her down the path of social justice."Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-to-watch-r/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the article, What Is Web 3.0 & Why It Matters, Fabric Venture partners, Max Mersch and Richard Muirhead, wrote that whereas “Web 2.0 was driven by the advent of mobile, social and cloud, Web 3.0 is built largely on three new layers of technological innovation: edge computing, decentralised data networks and artificial intelligence.”They also postulated that the shift to Web 3.0 is spreading the data centre out to the edge. “Large legacy data centres are being supplemented by a multitude of powerful computing resources spread across phones, computers, appliances, sensors and vehicles which are forecast to produce and consume 160 (!) times more data in 2025 as compared to 2010 (Ocean Protocol Research).”Gartner analyst Avivah Litan says Web 3.0 will transform us from Web 2.0's monetization via surveillance capitalism and advertising to monetization built directly into the protocol that is equally available to any connected user.In this PodChats for FutureCIO, we speak to Ulyses Ty, Head of Applications Services, Asia Service Centre, Sun Life Financial, for his take on where Web 3.0 will take the enterprise and how IT leaders will drive the adoption of Web 3.0 in the enterprise?1.       What is your definition in of Web 3.0?2.       How do you see Web 3.0 supporting calls for innovations that support sustainability and resilience?3.       Why is Web 3.0 not yet here (not sufficiently mature to draw serious discussion at the Board and C-suite level)?4.       From your perspective, where do you see are the low-hanging use cases of Web 3.0 based on currently available technology?5.       How do you see security and privacy evolving in Web 3.0?6.       In all these developments, how do you see the CIO and IT leadership helping to steer the integration of Web 3.0 into the organisation's evolving use of IT?7.       Into 2022, how do you see Web 3.0 shaping the industry?

Fourth quarter 2021 earnings call for Sun Life Financial Inc. For further information, please consult the company website at https://www.sunlife.com/For more TSX news, checkout www.tsxquarterly.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tsx-quarterly/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Third quarter 2021 earnings call for Sun Life Financial Inc. For further information, please consult the company website at https://www.sunlife.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tsx-quarterly/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Resilience For Your Speaking Business Our guest this week is Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, better known to her colleagues as ‘MH' or ‘Dr. P' (which is a lot easier for me to pronounce!). Dr. P holds both a PhD and an MBA from the University of British Columbia and teaches leadership resilience in the UBC School of Business. Dr. P is a leadership resilience and workplace mental health expert. She is an award-winning work psychologist who has led workplace mental health strategy in senior leadership roles at various organizations including Sun Life Financial. She's a past Director on the boards of the Canadian Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology and an active member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Pelletier!” Questions: • Given your combined background in business and psychology and expertise in Resilience, how is resilience particularly important for Speakers now in their business? • Even if many Speakers are the main, often the only person in their business, how should they think about Workplace Mental Health? • What would be the top strategies for Speakers to implement to increase and protect their resilience and mental health? • Many have used the past year to review our values and goals – how can this positively influence how Speakers take their next steps in their business?

Welcome back! This week I had a great conversation with Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier. Dr. Pelletier holds a PhD and an MBA from The University of British Columbia, and teaches leadership resilience at the UBC School of Business. She is an award-winning work psychologist who has led workplace mental health strategy in senior leadership roles at various organizations including Sun Life Financial. She's a past Director on the boards of the Canadian Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology and an active member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization. We have a great conversation all about fatigue, stress, and burn out. As these topics are extremely relevant right now, I'm really excited to share her insights and strategies that we can use every day to help us cope better. You can learn more about her at her website drmhpelletier.com or find her on LinkedIn. Enjoy the conversation! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-greg-wells/support

Abstract: Instructional design sits at a unique point within ethics and compliance programs, combining stakeholder expectations with the learner experience to create education that impacts how we think and act. In this episode of the Principled Podcast, LRN Senior Advisory Learning Solutions Manager Damien DeBarra talks with LRN Learning Director Alexis King about the role of the instructional designer as listener, facilitator, and change-maker. The two explore how instructional design can help organizations look inward to understand potential risks to their culture, and how learning can fill those gaps. Listen in as Damien and Alexis discuss building accountability into E&C programs and the voices needed to be part of that effort.   Featured guest:  Alexis King has built corporate ethics and compliance programs that ignite tangible culture change for more than 15 years. As a Learning Director at LRN, she collaborates with clients to create effective learning solutions for their unique needs and designs online, blended, and facilitated education experiences that emphasize learner engagement. Before joining LRN, Alexis spent more than 10 years as a Learning Manager at Interactive Services. Prior to that, she worked as a Senior Instructional Designer and Task Lead at C2 Technologies. Alexis holds an M.Ed. from the Peabody College of Education and Human & Development at Vanderbilt University. Her BS is also from Vanderbilt University.  Featured Host: Damien DeBarra brings more than 20 years' experience to the instructional design and strategic workforce planning spaces.  As a Senior Advisory Learning Solutions Manager at LRN, he focuses on creating training solutions that ensure business buy-in and connect hiring practices to day-one learning roll-outs. In the last few years, Damien has helped organizations such as United Airlines, Sun Life Financial, SITEL, Astellas, MFS Investments, and SAP create 90-day action plans for their solutions and develop supporting communication strategies. He has worked with over 200 clients in areas ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals, call centers to nuclear plant manufacturing. Prior to LRN, Damien spent more than nine years as the Learning Solutions Director and Head of Instructional Design at Interactive Services. He has also worked as an instructional designer at NCALT, Electric Paper, and Epic. Damien received his BA from Maynooth University.

Second quarter 2021 earnings call for Sun Life Financial Inc. For further information, please consult the company website at https://www.sunlife.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tsx-quarterly/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we have a chat with Khaleel Urrahman, financial advisor at Sun Life Financial. Born and raised in India, Khaleel eventually decided to start his life in our quiet part of the world, in Moncton, New Brunswick. We cover various topics such as what the Canadian winter is like for new immigrants, the difference between good debt and bad debt, what type of insurance you should have at what age and the importance of networking and volunteerism. You can reach Khaleel: FB: https://www.facebook.com/KhaleelSunLife/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaleel-urrahman-96822032/?originalSubdomain=ca

First quarter 2021 earnings call for Sun Life Financial Inc. For further information, please consult the company website at https://www.sunlife.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tsx-quarterly/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As Senior Vice-President of Group Benefits at Sun Life Financial, Dave Jones leads Canada's largest provider of group benefits for over 23,000 organizations, covering over three million Canadians and their families. He joins Robin & Al for a timely conversation surrounding the mental health crisis faced by many this past year, as business owners work diligently to remove barriers to mental healthcare services for their employees. Leadership committment is crucial to the development, implementation, and sustainability of workplace initiatives, especially those related to healthcare.

As Senior Vice-President of Group Benefits at Sun Life Financial, Dave Jones leads Canada's largest provider of group benefits for over 23,000 organizations, covering over three million Canadians and their families. He joins Robin & Al for a timely conversation surrounding the mental health crisis faced by many this past year, as business owners work diligently to remove barriers to mental healthcare services for their employees. Leadership committment is crucial to the development, implementation, and sustainability of workplace initiatives, especially those related to healthcare.

As Senior Vice-President of Group Benefits at Sun Life Financial, Dave Jones leads Canada’s largest provider of group benefits for over 23,000 organizations, covering over three million Canadians and their families. He joins Robin & Al for a timely conversation surrounding the mental health crisis faced by many this past year, as business owners work diligently to remove barriers to mental healthcare services for their employees. Leadership committment is crucial to the development, implementation, and sustainability of workplace initiatives, especially those related to healthcare.

Leo Rumel is an industrious entrepreneur who was born in Brazil and raised in Canada. After college, he worked as a District Manager with Cutco/Vector Canada for a few years before a chance meeting led him into an opportunity with Sun Life Financial, one of the largest insurance companies in the world. Throughout his 15+ year career with Sun Life, Leo has honed his skills in recruiting & selection, training new advisors, coaching & development, and building a culture of high-performance. He currently leads the Downtown Toronto District for the company, and his team is in the Top 3 in the company for average production per advisor. Leo also recently completed his Executive MBA from the prestigious Ivey Business School. He lives just outside Toronto with his wife and 2 young daughters. To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit  ChangingLivesPodcast.com

Fourth quarter 2020 earnings call for Sun Life Financial Inc. For further information, please consult the company website at https://www.sunlife.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tsx-quarterly/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Cherif Habib has been a lifelong entrepreneur. He started his first business at just 16, has taken startups full cycle, and has now raised $100M for his latest healthcare venture. His company, Dialogue, has just raised $100M from top-tier investors like HV Capital, White Star Capital, Walter Capital partners, and Sun Life Financial.

Cherif Habib has been a lifelong entrepreneur. He started his first business at just 16, has taken startups full cycle, and has now raised $100M for his latest healthcare venture. His company, Dialogue, has just raised $100M from top-tier investors like HV Capital, White Star Capital, Walter Capital partners, and Sun Life Financial.

Third quarter 2020 earnings call for Sun Life Financial Inc. For further information, please consult the company website at https://www.sunlife.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tsx-quarterly/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Second quarter 2020 earnings call for Sun Life Financial Inc. For further information, please consult the company website at https://www.sunlife.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tsx-quarterly/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

First quarter 2020 earnings call for Sun Life Financial Inc. For further information, please consult the company website at https://www.sunlife.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tsx-quarterly/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Give A Heck Podcast! Join Dwight Heck and his guest, Greg Kettner, as they talk about using humor to change your world one laugh at a time. Greg is a professional Keynote Sales Speaker and virtual business coach who champions his clients to be the best they can be by aligning their people, patterns, and progress to elevate their business and workplace culture across North America. In this episode, you'll learn: · Greg learned how to serve people and the importance of giving back from his family. · Humor is such a powerful thing in our lives and is probably the best medicine for us. · Laughing can help reset our moods and can make anyone feel better. · People need to relax and stop taking jokes so seriously. · Everybody's got a different level of what they think comedy should be. · Humor is not about making the comedian feel better about himself, but is about impacting lives and helping other people. · And much more! ~ About Greg Kettner: I am a professional Keynote Sales Speaker and Humor Expert who shares with other sales professionals how to infuse HR approved humor in the sales process to increase your sales, build stronger relationships, be more memorable, earn more, all while lowering your stress. I have over 25 years of professional sales experience, attained sales awards and Presidents' Club while selling over $12 million in produces and services for the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Seattle Thunderbirds, and the Tri-City along with software and hardwood flooring. I have also performed stand up comedy and keynote sales presentations for over 5,000 people and 40 plus organizations and companies. "I highly recommend bringing Greg on-board for a fun and interactive entertaining experience." Kai Schrameyer, VP of Happiness, Coca-Cola My interactive presentations and workshops leave audiences inspired and empowered to transform the world around them one laugh at a time. Other clients such as SAP, Ford, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Sun Life Financial, and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games have all laughed and been transformed with his message. ~ You can find Greg Kettner on… Website: https://www.gregkettner.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkettner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregkettner/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregkettner Connect with Dwight Heck! Website: https://giveaheck.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give.a.heck/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwight.heck Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF0i

In our inaugural episode of Transform It Forward, host Paul French sits down with Anna Foat, the Director of Global Digital Transformation at Sun Life Financial. Anna is an expert in change management and her approach to handling COVID-19 has been nothing short of exceptional. Throughout their conversation, Anna and Paul touch on four key themes:1) Why today's global pandemic is sparking major culture shifts;2) How to work together in harmony, when your organization is built in siloes;3) What value leaders need to provide to get their employees excited about new changes;4) The importance of just saying yes.

Dean Connor, President & CEO of Sun Life Financial discusses rapidly bringing his global leadership team and workforce together during the COVID-19 crisis, to go above and beyond for Sun Life customers.

Peter serves as President and CEO of Maine & Co., a privately funded business attraction and economic development organization. Charged with helping companies establish successful and profitable operations in Maine, Maine & Co.'s Board of Directors consists of top executives from Maine's business community. During Peter's tenure, Maine & Co. has attracted numerous companies from various sectors, growth stages, and sizes to locations throughout the state of Maine. Through Peter's leadership, Maine & Co. has attracted companies Portfolio companies include: athenahealth, Sun Life Financial, Carbonite, Grand Rounds, and Wayfair. Prior to joining Maine & Co. in 2004 as the Director of Client Services, Peter worked in Boston and Washington, DC in the food industry. Peter was responsible for building new operations in those geographies. His responsibilities included: general management, sales, relationship building, inventory management, and forecasting. Peter is a graduate of Colby College and he earned his MBA from the University of Southern Maine. Peter, his wife and their son reside in North Yarmouth, Maine.

“If you're investing $500 here or $1000 there you're hoping for a gimmick. If you go all in on something, you're committed; you're focused.” – Shane Melanson Shane Melanson is the host of The Investing Advantage and the founder of Melanson Developments, a commercial real estate development and investment firm in Calgary AB. Shane has authored 2 books - Club Syndication, How the Wealthy Raise Money and Invest in Commercial Real Estate and Evolve, Your 90 Day Growth Plan. He is focused on helping professionals and business owners make smarter investing decisions. Creating financial abundance by investing like the wealthy through value-add, commercial real estate opportunities. For the past 15 years, Shane has completed more than $260M in transactions for his clients and $65M in personal real estate transactions. He has worked with publicly traded companies like Melcor Developments, First Capital, and Sun Life Financial, Hedge Funds and some of the wealthiest families in both Canada and the US. But today he's focused on helping everyday people invest like the wealthy in commercial properties. Shane lives in Calgary with his wife Kelly and 3 kids where he's able to take his kids to school and no longer misses birthdays or dance recitals due to work and travel.      Show Notes [02:08] Patrick introduces his next guest in the REIN Member Series: Shane Melanson [03:56] Shane and Patrick get going on today's conversation and what Shane's been up to most recently. [5:58] In addition to podcast host, Shane is a two-time author. He talks about the purpose behind them, the process and the unexpected gifts in writing his second book Evolve. [10:52] Shane explains his beginnings in real estate in Whitecourt, Alberta, his early “genius”, his lessons, and getting started in commercial real estate [13:31] Although it wasn't a noticeable difference for him until this conversation, Shane shares what he feels was the difference for him as a commercial lender surrounded by highly successful investors, that made him take the extra step to put his learnings into real action. [16:46] Shane delves into his background, where his entrepreneurial spirit stemmed from, and by losing trust (and money) through a failed investment he was fueled to take charge of his own future. [22:22] As a father now himself, Shane shares how his relationship with his father has evolved and the great support from his mother. [23:57] An unlikely introduction to real estate through a city job. [25:05] Shane explains who and what lit a fire under him to get on the investment property train and purchase his first properties in Calgary. [27:30] Shane describes his start with commercial real estate and the learning opportunities that came with a scattering of investment deals and strategies. [29:51] What Shane is currently working on, where he invests and the type of development he and his partner undertake. [33:22] Shane talks about how he raises capital and the way in which he approaches his development deals with investors. [35:30] In working to their inherent strengths, Shane and partner find success with complementary skillsets. [38:31] From his own experience, Shane feels mentorship can't be about the pursuit or a one-way street it's more of an unquenchable curiosity that unfolds. [42:34] Shane discusses his morning routine and how he approaches professional development. [44:55] Patrick and Shane have a robust conversation about intentional friendships, cleaning up relationships, and distinguishing anchors vs. accelerators. [50:53] Self-care: what Shane does, and what it does for him. [52:19] Shane talks about the investments he makes in himself and the commitment he has to his life and goals. [55:33] Getting clear and committed was the game changer for Shane in living life on his own terms. [59:32] Shane digs into his own focus and how he has taken responsibility for that. [62:07] Shane's intentionality and decision making are also deeply root...

Dean Connor is President and CEO of Sun Life Financial.Sun Life is one of the world’s top insurance companies, and Dean is one of Canada’s most decorated CEOs. He was Ivey Business Leader of the Year in 2018, CEO of the Year in 2017, and Top New CEO in 2014.But the path of Dean’s career wasn’t inevitable. In this episode, we’ll hear how a much-loved hobby nearly led him in a different direction. We’ll also talk about Sun Life’s strategy to stay ahead at a time of digital transformation, and why it’s so important for Canadians to match the accelerate “clock speed” of business in the United States and Asia.Follow us on Twitter, join our mailing list, or visit our website.

Hey everyone! Meet Ashwinder Cheema, a current product manager Intern at SAP and a former product manager intern at Blackberry Messenger! Ashwinder has a very great internship portfolio under his name including data and project-related gigs at Sun Life Financial and the Canadian Government. He sits down with Kasey Fu, one of the podcast hosts for this series to talk about his experience in his internships, how he got into product, his experiences in both B2B product management and B2C product management, and how other aspiring students can obtain that awesome product internship!

Episode 18: Let's Talk About Money ft Anne Lake This week we talk about budgeting,saving, life insurance and looking cute on a budget. We talk to Anne Lake a financial advisor with Sun Life FInancial and she giving us all the tips. Anne Lake Anne.Lake@sunlife.com 902-488-7018 Our Go to Plus Size Brands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYV4l5QBP34&t=263s Hosts Lakara: @karadraya Gabrielle: @thatsgabe Follow the socials and talk with us @thick_smart_authentic Send us a voice note on the anchor app thicksmartauthentic.com Have a question ,or suggestion thicksmartauthenticpodcast@gmail.com

Scott discusses the revolutionary new digital ID service in Canada offered by SecureKey, Verified.Me. He is joined by Greg Wolfond (CEO of SecureKey), Stevan Lewis (SVP Digital Transformation at Sun Life Financial) and Franklin Garrigues (VP Digital Channel at TD). Find show notes and more at: https://www.soarpay.com/podcast/

What keeps global economy experts up at night? Is it Brexit, Chinese debt, the impact of technology on work, or the “unknown unknowns” — those issues we haven’t yet anticipated? This episode convenes several guests who were in Washington, D.C. recently for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund. With host Bessma Momani, they discuss how long the current global slowdown could last, the impact of bad policy — or a lack of any policy at all — on living standards, and, despite the many areas of concern, why it is best to focus on being prepared for crisis. Our host Bessma Momani is professor at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and University of Waterloo and a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. She’s also a non-resident senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. and a Fulbright Scholar. She has been non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. and a 2015 Fellow at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. She’s a frequent analyst and expert on international affairs in Canadian and global media. This week’s guests Rachel Ziemba is an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Her research focuses on the interlinkages between economics, finance and security issues. She previously served as head of emerging and frontier markets and co-head of research at Roubini Global Economics, a global macro strategy and country risk firm. Before that, Rachel also worked for the Canadian International Development Agency in Cairo, Egypt, and the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa, Canada on development economic issues. Babak Abbaszadeh is president and chief executive officer of non-profit organization Toronto Centre. Previously, Babak held leadership positions in major internationally oriented Canadian financial institutions such as the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Sun Life Financial. Babak was also chief of staff to two senior cabinet ministers. Bob Fay is director of the Centre for International Governance Innovation’s Global Economy Program and is responsible for the research direction of the program and its related activities. Prior to joining CIGI, Bob held several senior roles at the Bank of Canada, most recently as senior director overseeing work to assess developments and implications arising from the digitization of the Canadian economy. Tom Bernes is a distinguished fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation. After a distinguished career in the Canadian public service and at leading international economic institutions, Tom was CIGI’s executive director from 2009 to 2012. He has held high-level positions at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Government of Canada.

Jeannie and Adam welcome Dr. Thomas Hollmann of Arizona State University to tackle the customer experience education gap between academia and real-world business. Decoding Customer Experience Education for today’s business landscape Customer experience is now a critical focus in business today, so leaders have much to learn about. We learn from conferences, colleagues, webinars, blog posts, podcasts (a-hem!) and many other places. But what about academics? Most of us who have been in business for a number of years will tell you Customer Experience wasn’t much a part of our higher education, if at all. So, as we now have both feet in the Age of the Customer, what has academics done to adapt to this profound shift in focus around what it takes to be successful? Sadly, not much. And customers are not going to wait for your customer experience education to catch up. “Industry is struggling with and looking at totally different topics than the ones that we do when we go to academic conferences.” - Dr. Thomas Hollmann But there’s hope – not just for today’s business leaders, but for the next generation of business students, and new recruits you are training today! Dr. Thomas Hollmann, Executive Director of the Center for Services Leadership at Arizona State University, is here not only to teach us how the education system is adapting to this great shift, but what leaders can do in the meantime and in the future. In this enlightening interview, Dr. Hollmann: Brings us up to speed with the current state of customer experience education Identifies the gaps between traditional business education and customer-focused practices Outlines traditional business tools and disciplines you can use to fill these gaps Shares expert advice on how to approach customer experience education for the future “Customer Success is very old. So why is it a new topic?”  -Dr. Thomas Hollmann It may be a while before the academic industries embed customer experience disciplines into their curricula, so it’s critical to fill the gaps for yourself, your employees, and even your executive team. Listen in to learn how! Here are some highlights from the interview: What is the role of higher education in the world of customer experience today, and more importantly, is customer experience represented well? [5:00] As customer expectations change around the ideal experience, so do those of students. How are educational organizations adapting and competing? [7:40] Who is teaching customer experience these days? Dr. Hollmann discusses different professional backgrounds and powerful tools for understanding customers. [9:56] What is a good service culture, and how do the best organizations achieve theirs? [12:50] Customer Success dovetails into service and customer experience in many industries, so how can organizations use it as a framework? [16:20] What do leaders need to do in the future to compete on Customer Experience? Dr. Hollmann answers this burning question then outlines a few tools and key questions to ask. [20:00] About our guest Dr. Thomas Hollmann is a Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing and the Executive Director of the Center for Services Leadership at Arizona State University. Thomas’ work experience spans four countries and over 10 years in Fortune 100 companies, including Black & Decker, Xerox, and as an executive at Sun Life Financial. His research interests include Services Science, with a focus on B2B, service analytics, and Relationship Marketing, with a particular interest in relationship outcomes. His research has appeared in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, the Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing and several leading marketing and services conferences. He has received research grants and awards. Thomas has consulted with a range of Fortune 500 firms and he received awards for his teaching at Arizona State University and at NC State. Thomas earned a Ph.D. in Marketing from Arizona State University. Connect with Dr. Hollmann LinkedIn ASU Center for Service Leadership Related Content 360Connext® post, What Kind of Customer Experience Leader Do You Need to Be? Customers That Stick® post, How to Get Your Team to Deliver Consistent Customer Service Episode 298: Michel Falcon, Incredible Experience Tips Episode 175: (Tip) How Business Schools Can Add Customer Experience We’re on C-Suite Radio! Check it out for more great podcasts   Take care of yourself and take care of your customers.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I talked to Birdie Salva, the co-founder and general manager of Curiosity, a Manila-based design research agency. He currently leads user-centered research projects for companies like Globe, Sun Life Financial, and Ayala Corporation. He has been part of an industrial design startup, a brand manager for L'Oreal Philippines, and a lecturer in Ateneo de Manila University. As an avid gamer, he’s now trying his hand in game design. In this episode, we talked about building a design research company, thinking about design consequences, creating a party game, and a lot more.

I talked to Birdie Salva, the co-founder and general manager of Curiosity, a Manila-based design research agency. He currently leads user-centered research projects for companies like Globe, Sun Life Financial, and Ayala Corporation. He has been part of an industrial design startup, a brand manager for L'Oreal Philippines, and a lecturer in Ateneo de Manila University. As an avid gamer, he’s now trying his hand in game design. In this episode, we talked about building a design research company, thinking about design consequences, creating a party game, and a lot more.

One of Canada’s largest institutional investors, Sun Life Financial, just announced it’s getting into residential real estate in a big way. RioCan REIT also recently announced a major strategy shift into residential real estate. Why is institutional money flowing into the rental market and what can we learn from this as individual condo investors? Click here for show notes. Andrew la Fleur / Sales Representative 416-371-2333 / andrew@truecondos.com http://www.truecondos.com http://www.twitter.com/andrewlafleur http://www.facebook.com/truecondos

  Robert Gignac is the best-selling author of Rich is a State of Mind and an in-demand speaker at client events and financial industry seminars. He has delivered light-hearted yet powerful financial planning presentations and keynotes on stages such as the Ontario Association of School Business Officials, Sun Life Financial, and Say It With Power Presentations. He is passionate about helping his audience and clients understand the connection between personal responsibility and financial planning. Through his entertaining and informative speaking style, his goal is to inspire others to take control of their finances and create a “Richly Imagined Future.”    Robert joins me today to talk about financial planning and how to set your goals. He shares the lessons he has learned and why it is so important to start planning early and being prepared to change the plan as unexpected life-events occur. Robert also talks about his book on personal finance and sheds light on what he is doing now.    “It is great to have goals, and it’s great to have a plan, but don’t get so tied to them or make them so rigid that you are not prepared to change them.” - Robert Gignac    This Week on Young Money:  Robert’s background and the genesis of the book.  Learning lessons from other people’s mistakes.  How to live within your means while enjoying life.    Why you should take the time to build the foundation and building blocks of a financial future.    The key factors to his success and what he needed to learn himself.  The things Robert wished he knew when he was younger.  The power of delayed gratification.  How financial planning can lead to doing the things that your social circle only wish they could do.  How to plan for your future self and the importance of starting early.  Responding to things that life unexpectedly throws at you.  Why you should look at life and money from the perspective of the bigger picture.  What the concept of being rich means.  Setting a goal list and how it might evolve.  What Robert is working on now.        Key takeaways:  Pay yourself first.   Start a financial plan early - harness the power of compound interest.  Question what rich means to you.  Respond to life’s unexpected events.    Resources Mentioned:  EP012 The Financial Cost of Comparisonitis with Rachel Brownlow Lund  EP036 Kelley Keehn with 5 Ways We Sabotage Our Finances  EP045 Stop Feeling Broke with Shannon Lee Simmons      Connect with Robert Gignac:  Robert Gignac  Rich is a State of Mind  Rich is a State of Mind on Facebook  Robert Gignac on Twitter  Robert Gignac on LinkedIn      Rate, Share & Inspire Other Young Millionaires-in-the-Making     Thanks for tuning into the Young Money Podcast - the advice show for young millionaires-in-the-making! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to iTunes and leave us a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes on social media!     Subscribe to the Young Money Podcast on iTunes so you never miss an episode and reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, our Linkedin Company Page, or by visiting our website.

Dan Henry is the Regional Vice President, Central and Atlantic Canada for Sun Life Financial. He is accountable for developing and delivering Sun Life's value proposition-innovative benefit solutions and exceptional customer experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Dan to find out what the folks at Sun Life have been up to. Listen in as Dan talks to us about Sun Life's new Personal Spending Account (PSA) and why it's already garnering attention across the industry. We also chat the company's key strategies to continually recruit and retain exceptional people. Dan is passionate about the industry and it comes through in our conversation. I really enjoyed my conversation with Dan. I hope you enjoy the podcast. RB

Dan Henry is the Regional Vice President, Central and Atlantic Canada for Sun Life Financial. He is accountable for developing and delivering Sun Life's value proposition-innovative benefit solutions and exceptional customer experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Dan to find out what the folks at Sun Life have been up to. Listen in as Dan talks to us about Sun Life's new Personal Spending Account (PSA) and why it's already garnering attention across the industry. We also chat the company's key strategies to continually recruit and retain exceptional people. Dan is passionate about the industry and it comes through in our conversation. I really enjoyed my conversation with Dan. I hope you enjoy the podcast. RB

Dan Henry is the Regional Vice President, Central and Atlantic Canada for Sun Life Financial. He is accountable for developing and delivering Sun Life's value proposition-innovative benefit solutions and exceptional customer experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Dan to find out what the folks at Sun Life have been up to. Listen in as Dan talks to us about Sun Life's new Personal Spending Account (PSA) and why it's already garnering attention across the industry. We also chat the company's key strategies to continually recruit and retain exceptional people. Dan is passionate about the industry and it comes through in our conversation. I really enjoyed my conversation with Dan. I hope you enjoy the podcast. RB

Dan Henry is the Regional Vice President, Central and Atlantic Canada for Sun Life Financial.  He is accountable for developing and delivering Sun Life's value proposition-innovative benefit solutions and exceptional customer experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Dan to find out what the folks at Sun Life have been up to.  Listen in as Dan talks to us about Sun Life's new Personal Spending Account (PSA) and why it's already garnering attention across the industry.  We also chat the company's key strategies to continually recruit and retain exceptional people.  Dan is passionate about the industry and it comes through in our conversation.  I really enjoyed my conversation with Dan.  I hope you enjoy the podcast. RB    

Dean A. Connor is the president and CEO of Sun Life Financial. Connor serves on the Boards of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association as well as the Business Council of Canada. He was named Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year® for 2017. Today, he shares his experience and training, and what it’s like to perform and lead at the executive level.   Mentioned in This Episode: Listen at Your Own Risk SOA Website   Connect with Dean: Dean on SunLife Dean on Twitter   Leave a Review: Did you like this episode? Please leave a review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Listen at Your Own Risk podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. Thank you for listening to this week’s show, and tune in next week for another great guest.  

Mitchell M. Merin   Mitch spent the majority of his career on Wall Street, holding senior management positions at securities and asset management firms that ranked among the world’s largest. At the time of his retirement in 2005, Mitch led Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM), one of the world's top 20 investment management businesses. He also served on the Management Committee of Morgan Stanley. During his tenure as Head of MSIM, Mitch led the combination of a variety of disparate businesses into a single, integrated investment management business; increased assets under management; and enhanced the profitability of the business. His most challenging task came after the destruction of the headquarters of the individual investor business in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Mitch attended Trinity College where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics, and then Northwestern University receiving an MBA in finance and accounting. After graduating from Northwestern in 1977, he joined the Chicago office of Touche Ross & Co, and on his first day was assigned to the firm's largest audit client: Sears, Roebuck and Co. In May of 1981, Mitch joined Sears as a manager of financial analysis. He led the financial team that provided the analysis to support the Sears acquisitions of Dean Witter Reynolds and Coldwell Banker. As Director of Corporate Finance, he worked on the development of the first public offering of securitized credit card receivables and served on the team that divested Sears operations in Latin America and Spain. Mitch began his securities industry career with Dean Witter in 1986 as Senior Vice President and Group Treasurer, where he continued the effort he initiated at Sears to develop the funding structure of the Discover Card. In 1994, he was named Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of this new public company. His role included corporate strategy, and in the fall of 1994 Mitch was asked to develop the strategy and identify companies to transform Dean Witter from a domestic retail securities, asset management and credit card business, to a global firm participating in both retail and institutional markets. The development of the strategy culminated in 1997 with the merger of  Dean Witter, Discover & Co. and Morgan Stanley. Mitch was Co-Head of the merger transition team, leading the Dean Witter portion of the effort. Immediately after the merger, he served as President and CEO of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors, the Firm's proprietary asset management business serving individual investors Since his retirement in 2005, Mitch has been a director of both public and private companies. He served on the board of Sun Life Financial, one of Canada’s leading financial services companies, chairing the Governance, Nominating and Investment Oversight Committee. Mitch now serves as an Independent trustee of the JP Morgan Mutual Funds and chairs the Fixed Income Investment Committee of the JP Morgan mutual fund board.

Here’s your Headstart on the business headlines you need to know for Tuesday, June 5th, 2018. Coming up: Rue La La will Acquire The Gilt Group, McDonalds Opens a New Global HQ in Chicago, Red Bull Rolls Out a Line of Organic Carbonated Drinks in Canada, Coinbase Rolls Out a New Office in Japan, Sun Life Financial Will Acquire Maxwell Health, Visa Looks to Help European FinTech Companies, Caesars Entertainment Introduces Exclusive Resort Licensing & Brand Opportunities, Howard Schultz Steps Down as Starbucks Executive Chairman. We’ll have these stories and more in under 7-minutes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Engaging the female marketplace: Jillian Farrow from Sun Life Financial

Jameson Fauver is the Vice President of Business Development for Kashable, where he is responsible for leading the national sales team and growing Kashable’s employer client base. Jameson is passionate about ensuring that all working Americans have access to low-cost, socially responsible credit, and his team partners with benefit consultants and employers across the country to achieve that mission.    Starting with Sun Life Financial, Jameson has spent his entire professional career working in employee benefits. When not spreading the word about Kashable, Jameson likes to be physically active, playing for a soccer team in Boston during the week and golfing & hiking outside the city on the weekends. Jameson is also on the Board of Directors for Camp Pemigewassett, a boys summer camp based in New Hampshire, where he chairs the Finance Committee. Jameson graduated cum laude from Colgate University with a degree in economics and was also a member of the school’s Division-1 soccer team.  

How clear is it, to both clients and prospects, what's going to happen after you leave their office? Did your meeting end with a plan...or a thud? Jimmy Pomerance brings over 20 years of experience teaching, training and coaching sales professionals across many industries, but especially the financial services industry. Jimmy served as the National Sales Training Director for AIG/Sun America and a Divisional Sales Manager for Sun Life Financial. During those years, he created and instituted several sales training programs for new hires, sales associates and top management. In 2005, he took the leap of faith and launched his entrepreneurial company Impact Speakers and he has never looked back! He now divides his time and energy between motivational speaking engagements and working directly with companies and individuals looking to improve and energize their businesses through upgrading their presentation, communication and sales results. To inquire about booking Jimmy Pomerance for your next event through Wholesaler Masterminds Speakers Bureau contact us at info@wholesalermasterminds.com

In today’s episode of The Plant Trainers Podcast we talk to Jamie Mason Cohen about the ins and outs or crosses and dots of handwriting analysis. This is a special episode as it is not like anything we have talked about before. We look at how your handwriting can give you clues into the stressors in your life, and we all know that stress directly affects your health and happiness. Jamie’s expertise in the area comes along with some interesting stories of how people have been able to make amazing changes in their lives after Jamie has looked at their handwriting. You don’t want to miss this one, and if you can, get yourself a pen and paper…no typing allowed. Part personality x-ray machine, and part strengths-analysis strategist, Jamie Mason Cohen is a keynote speaker, certified handwriting analyst and Graphotherapist, who helps people discover their strengths through handwriting.  He works with organizations to understand their employees’ strengths and challenges in order to create lasting change like Sun Life Financial, The Terry Fox Foundation, Broadway Video Entertainment, Saturday Night Live, and more.   Jamie is a regular relationship expert on “The Social” daytime talk show and his TEDx talk on spotting leadership traits in handwriting has been viewed 1 million plus times.  He is a TED Education-Huffington Post International Award-winning Educator, and a #1 Amazon best-selling author of LIVE FROM YOUR CLASS, Everything I Learned About Teaching, I Learned from Working at SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.  In former lives, he worked for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Executive Producer, Lorne Michaels, directed TV commercials and Sports TV segments, was a high school English teacher and oversaw leadership development for a large private high school in Ontario. In this episode we discussed: What handwriting analysis is How handwriting analysis can help improve our quality of life What happens when we write Graphotherapy Schools and print How to encourage kids to use handwriting Speed and writing Analyzing your handwriting Jamie analyzes our handwriting Slants, T-bars and more How to strengthen your character through writing A story of handwriting analysis in action   Links to things we mentioned: Thank you to today’s sponsor –>  – use “PlantTrainers” at checkout for 15% off Jamie Mason Cohen’s , , ,             by Jamie Mason Cohen   Thank you to this month’s Patrons for supporting us on : “Joe” Millie Pearson Stu Dolnick Mary Lou Fusi Carmen Fanous Emily Iaconelli Spanish Armada Don’t forget to contact us at  with your question for our Plant Trainers Facebook Lives!   We hope you enjoyed this podcast! Please take a moment and  – we would be grateful! This will help get our podcast out to others who may enjoy it. We promise to read your reviews and consider your feedback. This show is for you. Please subscribe to The Plant Trainers Podcast on , ,  or  so you will know when we release a new episode. We’re also available to ! Help us by spreading the news about our totally awesome Podcast!   Click  for a list of our services

Richard Conn, a managing partner at Eurasia Advisors, talks about the links between Russia, Ukraine and Manafort, and how the conspiracy investigation is a watershed event in U.S. history. Steve Peacher, president of Sun Life Investment Management, the investment arm of global insurance company Sun Life Financial, discusses credit valuations and the current investment outlook. Michael Scanlon, a portfolio manager at Manulife Asset Management, previews Apple and Facebook earnings. Finally, Jamie Butters, an auto reporter at Bloomberg, talks about the mixed bag of October auto sales. 

On this weeks show, and amazing turnaround in the fortunes of the MaRS West Tower, CQDM and Brain Canada team up once again, and a significant step in the fight against cancer. We have all this and more on this week’s Biotechnology Focus Radio Show Podcast. Welcome to another episode of Biotechnology Focus Podcast. I’m your host Shawn Lawrence, here to give you a rundown of this week’s top stories on the Canadian biotech scene,   Story CQDM and Brain Canada are join forces again in the funding of two new research projects to address unmet needs in brain research. Together, the two organizations are awarding a total of $3 million to the projects which will oversee the development  cutting-edge tools, technologies and platforms designed to accelerate the discovery of new drugs for brain and nervous system disorders. The two distinguished research teams will unite nine researchers from seven public and private organizations across Canada. The first project is led by Edward Fon at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (MNI) joined by multi-provincial collaborators from McGill University, Université Laval and University of British Columbia. The second project led by Jean-Martin Beaulieu at University of Toronto is a public-private collaboration with the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and ImStar Therapeutics in Vancouver. Additionally, these researchers will benefit from CQDM’s unique mentoring program. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with influential senior scientists from the pharmaceutical industry who bring expertise and support to the projects, to help better align research with the needs of industry and patients. The Brain Canada funds are provided through a partnership with Health Canada, known as the Canada Brain Research Fund. Story Princess Margaret Cancer Centre scientists have discovered a distinct cell population in tumours that inhibits the body’s immune response to fight cancer. According to principal investigator Pamela Ohashi, director, Tumour Immunotherapy Program at the cancer centre, University Health Network. Dr. Ohashi holds a Canada Research chair in Autoimmunity and Tumour Immunity, the findings, published online in Nature Medicine, are critical to understanding more about why patients will or will not respond to immune therapies.  Specifically, Dr. Ohashi and her team uncovered a potential new approach to modulate the immune response to cancer. She adds that by looking at tumour biology from this different perspective, researchers will have a better understanding of the barriers that prevent a strong immune response. This can help advance drug development to target these barriers. Dr. Ohashi discusses her team’s discovery of a new population of cells that regulate immune response in the following audio clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-vbE-DRTdY Dr. Ohashi’s research team along with international collaborators analyzed more than 100 patient samples from ovarian and other cancer types to discover a distinct population of cells found in some tumours. This population of cells suppresses the growth of cancer-fighting immune cells, thereby limiting the ability of the immune system to fight off cancer. For patients, down the road Dr. Ohashi envisions a new era of combined therapies to simultaneously target and kill these suppressive cells while augmenting the immune response against cancer.  The team’s next avenue of research will be focused on identifying a “biomarker” that can identify this distinct suppressive cell elsewhere in the body – for example, in blood or other samples – as a potential predictive clinical tool to determine when these cells are present in patients, which currently cannot be done. Dr. Ohashi’s research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Story Aequus Pharmaceuticals has landed $100,000 in federal funding through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program. The company plans to use funds towards an ongoing proof-of-concept clinical study for its lead product candidate, AQS1301, a once-weekly transdermal aripiprazole patch. Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic and the active ingredient in Abilify®, a leading medication in the U.S. used for the treatment of a number of psychiatric disorders including bipolar I disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and irritability associated with autistic disorder. Aripiprazole is currently available in once-daily oral tablets and a once-monthly injectable form, however, medication adherence continues to be a significant challenge for patients. Offering the medication in a patch form potentially could make it more convenient to use, and improve patient adherence says Anne Stevens, COO and director of Aequus Pharmaceuticals . The product is currently in clinical development, butAequus expects to confirm its regulatory development plan in a pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND) meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2017. Aequus anticipates results of the current repeat dose, 28-day study in the first quarter of 2017. The results will be used to inform the final design of the patch to be advanced into the regulatory phase of its clinical trials. Story Genome British Columbia is making an investment into Augurex Life Sciences through its Industry Innovation (I²) funding program. The company was founded on an invention shared between the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia in 2006. The funding is repayable and is allocated to promising technologies (products, processes or services) at the early stages of commercial development, and aims to provide risk capital that is concurrently matched by other public or private funding sources. The investment will go towards helping the company launch several blood test products from its pipeline and advance its overall therapeutic program. With a focus on autoimmune diseases affecting joints such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Augurex has already developed its first blood test, called JOINTstat™, which measures the 14-3-3η(eta) protein in blood for early RA diagnosis, joint damage risk monitoring, and also predicts RA development in people with joint pain. Since this is a very early contributor to disease and correlates with joint damage prognosis, it facilitates the identification of patients for early RA intervention and tighter control of treatment so that clinical and remission targets can be reached; the highest priorities in rheumatology care. Additionally, a portfolio of 14-3-3η-centric biomarkers has emerged from Augurex’s work, with demonstrated applications in multiple autoimmune diseases with joint involvement. As an aside, JOINTstat has since been studied in over 4,000 patients, and is Health Canada approved. It was launched in Canada by LifeLabs and has been in clinical use since late 2013 in the U.S. Recently, the test was also CE marked and TGA approved making it certified for clinical use in Europe and Australia.  Story California Capital Equity, LLC, has increased its equity position in Laval, QC’s ProMetic Life Sciences, exercising 44,791,488 share purchase warrants at a price of $0.47 per share for total proceeds of $21,051,999.36. The venture capital firm  based in LosAngeles, CA, specializes in providing growth and development capital to start-up through mezzanine stages. The firm’s equity and debt investments are typically in small and medium sized companies. It first invested in ProMetic in 2008. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, CEO of California Capital Equity cited the company’s robust proprietary therapeutic platforms and promising growth potential as key factors behind the firm’s latest investment.  Story Our final story this week, In an amazing turnaround for what once was a struggling center for innovation and entrepreneurship, that once upon a time event required the government of Ontario to step in and offer bridge financing to keep it afloat, MaRS Discovery District now reports that it has completed a significant private financing of its West Tower, with proceeds of this transaction to be used to repay most of the Ontario government's interest-bearing loans to MaRS. The caveat, is the repayment comes almost three years ahead of schedule.  Taking part in the private financing are Manulife, Sun Life Financial and iA Financial Group, who together led the $290-million transaction by investing in 19-year bonds issued by Phase II Investment Trust. According to Ilse Treurnicht, CEO of MaRS, the West Tower is now fully leased, and could soon generate the operating income required to be entirely self-sustaining, putting MaRS on stable footing. Last year we featured two of the more noteworthy tenants at the building, Johnson & Johnson’s JLABS @ Toronto, and the Bridge@CCRM in our June/July issue of Biotechnology Focus. And now, offering over 1.5 million square feet of state-of-the-art lab and office space in the heart of Toronto's Discovery District, the MaRS Centre is now home to more than 140 research labs and companies spanning the entire innovation ecosystem, including Multinational medical firms such as Johnson & Johnson's JLABS @ Toronto, which itself houses over 40 biotech and health startups, Merck, growing  life science firms such as Synaptive Medical, Deep Genomics, Interface Biologics, Highland Therapeutics, and Triphase Accelerator; and life science incubators like Blueline Bioscience. Leading research groups from the University of Toronto (which owns a 20% stake in the West Tower), University Health Network (including Princess Margaret Cancer Centre), Ryerson University and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research also call the West tower home. The facility has even attracted other major tenants like Autodesk, Facebook, Merck, PayPal, Etsy, Airbnb, IBM, CIBC and RBC. In all, ventures within the MaRS network raised $2.6 billion in capital and generated $1.3 billion in revenue between 2008 and 2015, and today employs more than 5,200 people. Well that wraps up another episode of the Biotechnology Focus Podcast. We hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to let us know what you think, and we’re also always looking for story ideas and suggestions for future shows, and of course we’d love to hear from you as well, simply reach out to us via twitter @biotechfocus, or by email at the following email address  press@promotivemedia.ca. And remember, you can also listen to past episodes online via our podcast portal at www.biotechnologyfocus.ca . For all of us here at Biotechnology Focus, thanks for listening.

We have a real chat about building a network in Calgary, pushing the comfort zone, entrepreneurship, fitness, and the financial advisory industry in Calgary. JD moved from New Brunswick a few short years ago and he was forced to build his business in a new city. Given his entrepreneurial spirit, he jumped right into business building groups in Calgary.   Coming from a different city, JD shares his gratitude for our city and he discusses the importance of fitness as it relates to business.    Reach out to JD Jean-Daniel Methot on LinkedIn Jean-Daniel Methot on Facebook 

Please click on the POD button to listen to the latest Atlanta Business Radio  show podcast broadcasting live each Wednesday at 10am EDT from Atlanta, GA, USA.   Here's how to listen to the podcast of our show. First click on the title of the show you are interested in. Then there should be a player in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Now just press play and the show you chose should start playing. You can also download the show to listen on your mp3 player. We are now available on iTunes, click this link and you can find all our past shows. Press SUBSCRIBE and you will automatically get the latest show when you sync your iPod to your computer.Remember if you want a pretty comprehensive listing of all kinds of Atlanta Events including Business Networking events please check out www.AtlantaEvent.com.  Today we discussed employee benefits with Joseph G. Stone, Co-Founder and President/CEO of EasyHRweb, LLC. Mr. Stone is responsible for providing leadership in all aspects of activities, projects and strategic directions for the company as well as coordinating all development and marketing initiatives and alliances. Previously, Mr. Stone spent 22 years with Colonial Life & Accident Insurance where he was Marketing Director for State Government Development. He was responsible for the management of thirty agents and three assistant managers who assisted him in the development of government related business in the State of South Carolina. Mr. Stone’s extensive experience in the insurance industry, combined with his experience in corporate sales and marketing of insurance products, has been successful to public and private businesses in the Southeast. His leadership in the private sector led to the creation of a profitable distribution company, Phillips/Stone and Associates out of Raleigh, NC that was sold to investors after 4 years of profitable operations. He is an active member in the South Carolina Technology Alliance, Central Carolina Economic Development Alliance Committee of 100, and the Atlanta CEO High Tech Council. He served as technology chair for the South Carolina Health Underwriters State Board as well as a Steering Committee member of the Columbia Technology Entrepreneur Council. EasyHRweb™ specializes in web based software for benefit enrollment and management, and HR solutions. By designing solutions that are customizable to each individual clients needs, we are able to ensure the most effective and supportive service possible for each organization and their employees. Founded in 1998 as EasyBenefits™, an organization catering primarily to the K-12 education sector, a great deal of experience and recognition was gained in ensuring effective introduction of benefit management systems to small and large clients. EasyBenefits™ grew out of Columbia, South Carolina; saw progressive growth over the subsequent years, through teamwork and strong leadership from President/CEO Joseph Stone. Recognition of the organization's potential was received in the form of multiple technology and service awards, including the Greater Columbia ITC Palmetto Pillar on more than one occasion. 2006 marked the beginning of a new phase for EasyBenefits™. With the introduction of Co-Founder Charles Wall, the organization was reformed as EasyHRweb™, branching deeper into HR solutions. EasyHRweb™ offers web based tools for a variety of standard HR procedures through their products; the Online JobCenter and Benefits Center. EasyHRweb™ continues to thrive under strong leadership, team work, and a dedication to customer satisfaction. Research and development of new products, while maintaining and improving existing services and support networks are high on EasyHRweb™’s priorities. By increasing knowledge and experience EasyHRweb™ looks forward to continuing its success into the future. For more information please go to their website www.easyhrweb.com Next we had on Rob Peters with Pritchard & Jerden. Rob brings over six years of industry experience and is responsible for the design, negotiation, implementation and management of complex benefit programs. Prior to joining Pritchard & Jerden, Rob was a producing broker with a national brokerage firm and leading group sales representative with Sun Life Financial. Over the years Rob has worked with both large and small employers across the country to develop creative solutions for their benefit programs. With his background on the brokerage and carrier side, Rob, brings a unique perspective to his clients. For more information please go to Rob's website www.pritchardjerden.comLee also discussed his new membership wellness website that helps people stay compliant to their weight loss and exercise program. For more information on that please go to www.drfitnessandthefatguy.comAlso if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show.