Podcast
CanadianSME Small Business Podcast
Hosted by SK Uddin · EN
Welcome to the CanadianSME podcast, a podcast for Canadian Small Businesses. In our podcasts, we interview Canadian experts and entrepreneurs to give small business owners access to expert knowledge that helps them grow their enterprises. Our mission is to empower Canadian small and medium enterprises and help them reach a bigger audience through our platform. Calling upon some of the most successful subject matter experts in the industry, the small business podcasts aim at identifying issues and finding solutions, all this while helping the business owners.
144episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Franchise Formula: How to Know If You Are Truly Backed to Buy
Yesterday00:20:30Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore franchise expansion, credit modeling, and risk management in 2026. Joining us is Terry Thrower, National Manager of Franchise Banking at TD, sharing insights on scaling franchise portfolios and leveraging specialized banking strategies. Key Highlights: 1. Financial Readiness: How to determine if you’re ready to buy a franchise. 2. Brand Viability: Evaluating the true potential of a franchise opportunity. 3. Specialized Advisory: Why franchise banking expertise matters for owners. 4. Multi-Unit Scaling: Financial challenges when expanding to multiple locations. 5. Franchise Trends: Key macro trends shaping the Canadian franchise sector. 6. Banking Relationships: Advice for franchise owners on managing credit and capital. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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Hot Leadership: The People-First Edge in the AI Era
Yesterday00:17:46Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we discuss how leaders set the “temperature” of their organization and why it matters in an AI-driven workplace. Joining us is Reena Narayan, founder of Hot Leadership, who helps leaders stay people-first under pressure and build cultures where teams thrive. Key Highlights The Temperature of Leadership: Origin and meaning of 'Hot Leadership'. The Cost of Cold Leadership: Impact of leadership going cold on teams. Competitive Advantage for AI: Hot Leadership as a business differentiator. Intent versus Impact: Applying Hot Leadership effectively in daily work. Creating a Hot Culture: How it transforms culture, performance, and retention. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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The $50B Return Crisis: Can AI Fix Fashion’s Biggest Fail?
3d ago00:13:35Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how AI is solving the $50 billion fashion return crisis by tackling the persistent problem of sizing and fit. Joining us is Edgar Azcorra, Founder and CEO of Xactsize, a tech entrepreneur building the AI infrastructure that connects brands, factories, and customers to improve apparel fit and reduce returns. Key Highlights Sizing Challenges: Why fit remains a major problem in fashion. AI-Driven Decisions: Using AI to reduce returns and optimize production. Intelligence Layer: How data infrastructure will reshape fashion by 2030. Global Scaling: Turning partnerships into real-world deployments. Founder Insights: How early experiences shaped the platform design. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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The Middle Manager Pressure: Are You Leading or Just Reacting?
1w ago00:21:37Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore middle management, corporate execution, and leading teams under dual pressures. Joining us is Parm Chohan, founder of Conquer Leadership Inc., sharing how he helps managers translate core values into daily operational behaviors. Key Highlights Middle Management Challenges: Leadership hurdles as businesses scale and grow complex. Values-Based Leadership: The importance of values and Return on Values for business success. PDD Framework: Staying calm under pressure with structured leadership methods. Alpha Leadership & EQ: How emotional intelligence amplifies effective leadership. Strengths-Based Coaching: Improving team performance and engagement through tailored coaching. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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The Overengineering Trap: How SMBs Can Scale Cloud Infrastructure on a Budget
1w ago00:16:12Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how SMBs can build resilient, cost-efficient cloud infrastructure without overcomplicating systems. Joining us is Amir Abolhasani, Founder and Technical Director at Namira Software Corporation, an AI architect with over 15 years of experience designing scalable platforms across multiple industries. Key Highlights Platform Engineering Priorities: Focus areas for leaders in 2026. De-risking SMB Infrastructure: Simplifying DevOps and Kubernetes adoption. AI-Powered SRE: Improving incident response with AI agents. Reducing Cloud Costs: Identifying and eliminating hidden expenditures. Bootstrapping Lessons: Insights from building your own scalable platform. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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Negotiation Power: Locking in Better Terms Before Your Next Renewal
1w ago00:14:22Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. Today, we explore strategic insurance opportunities for real estate professionals in 2026, focusing on leveraging market shifts to improve coverage and reduce risk. Joining us is Sarah Thompson, Associate Vice President of the Real Estate Practice at HUB International, who shares actionable insights on navigating soft markets, optimizing policies, and enhancing risk management. Key Highlights Soft Market Advantage: Sarah explains the benefits of a soft insurance market for real estate investors. Common Pitfalls: Sarah highlights frequent insurance mistakes property owners make. Risk Management: Sarah discusses strategies to improve insurability and reduce costs. Negotiating Coverage: Sarah shows how to secure better terms during current market cycles. Pre-Renewal Prep: Sarah provides a checklist for owners before policy renewal. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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Can't Afford It? How Collective Buying Changes Everything
1w ago00:18:49Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore the evolution of purchasing power and the rise of crowd-purchasing, a model turning individual "wants" into collective wins in 2026. Joining us is Joe Rubini, founder of Razzall Inc. and the Rally Group of Companies. Joe shares his journey from building a logistics empire to creating a tech-driven community commerce platform. Key Highlights Razzall Explained: How crowd-purchasing differs from traditional e-commerce. Building Trust: Educating users on a new digital commerce model. Logistics to Tech: Mindset shifts behind moving from freight to a platform. Scaling Partnerships: Leveraging collaborations to grow experiences. Future of Commerce: How community-driven platforms will shape e-commerce by 2030. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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AI in the Shop Floor: How Small Manufacturers Can Beat the Hype
1w ago00:27:15Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how North American manufacturers can overcome operational traps and build an integrated digital backbone for real-time productivity in 2026. Joining us is Robert Jolliffe, President of Sabre Limited, who shares insights on modernizing manufacturing operations, implementing AI on the shop floor, and building trust through transparent, fixed-fee ERP systems. Key Highlights Spreadsheets' Limits: Robert explains when traditional spreadsheets fail growing manufacturers. AI on the Shop Floor: Robert discusses realistic AI applications in manufacturing. Competitive Edge: Robert shares strategies for Canadian manufacturers to stay ahead. Modernization Without Disruption: Robert explains how to upgrade operations smoothly. Fixed-Fee Transparency: Robert highlights how fixed-fee ERP builds stronger client trust. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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Is Your Brand Identity Stalling Your Growth?
1w ago00:17:10Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we explore how branding goes beyond visuals to earn trust, create loyalty, and drive growth for businesses in 2026. Joining us is Nancy Ripton, President of Silver Lining Marketing, who shares insights on positioning, storytelling, and leveraging strategic networks to elevate brand impact. Key Highlights Branding Beyond Visuals: Nancy explains why branding shapes trust and growth. Foundations for Scale: Nancy discusses defining strong positioning on a budget. Branding Mistakes: Nancy shares common errors and how to fix them. Storytelling Impact: Nancy outlines how narrative builds meaningful connections. Merging Influence and Growth: Nancy highlights the benefits of Silver Lining Marketing’s merger with Women of Influence and ROOM Women’s network. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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SaaS Link Building: How to Rank on Google’s Front Page
1w ago00:15:33Tap to summarizeWelcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we dive into the strategic world of digital authority, showing how backlinks and high-quality online relationships drive search visibility and AI discovery for businesses in 2026. Joining us is Saurav Subham, Head of Link Building Growth at Marveta, who shares practical insights on off-page SEO, securing quality backlinks, and building a safe, scalable strategy for B2B and SaaS companies. Key Highlights Link Building Basics: Saurav explains why backlinks are essential for SEO. B2B & SaaS Stakes: Saurav discusses the critical role of links for growing SaaS and B2B brands. Manual Outreach Mechanics: Saurav shares Marveta’s approach to securing high-quality backlinks. AI Visibility Impact: Saurav outlines how link building boosts presence on AI-driven search platforms. Natural Link Strategy: Saurav advises on creating a safe and sustainable off-page SEO plan. Special Thanks to Our Partners: UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspx For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age! To learn more about how we are supporting the ecosystem, please visit the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation at smbfoundation.ca. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
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