Magnet Network Live On The Pod

Andrea Sampson joins us to discuss the power of storytelling for business leaders. Andrea Sampson is the founder of Talk Boutique. As an  executive speaker coach, communication expert and business strategist, Sampson specializes in helping those who have a message to convey do so with engagement and clarity. Sampson shares why creativity needs a little tension, the magic of the water cooler conversation, and the kinds of stories audiences actually remember.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1.Thought leaders create the future, making it especially important that diverse leaders are able to convey their ideas and stories to the right audiences.2. People remember stories more than facts or data.  
Hosts: Maggie John

Jean-Pierre (JP) Giroux joins us to discuss how the manufacturing industry is changing to accommodate new technologies and a rapidly changing workforce. For more than two decades, JP has held positions of increasing responsibility with economic development, NGO, management consulting, industrial and corporate organizations throughout Canada. Beginning as an economic development officer in Canada’s Capital Region, JP has devoted the past 20 years developing innovative workplace performance-based solutions for the Canadian manufacturing sector.Giroux shares some of the key challenges Canadian manufacturers face in adopting new technology and how they can overcome these barriers.   
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Canadian manufacturers face significant challenges in adopting new technologies, such as automation, robotics, and digitalization, which are crucial for advanced manufacturing. Overcoming these barriers requires substantial investment and the ability to manage change, including upskilling the workforce to transition from old to new roles. 2. Creating inclusive work environments and attracting diverse talent are also major concerns, especially with an impending wave of retirements coming in the next ten years. To address labor shortages, manufacturers aim to appeal to women and individuals with disabilities by engaging with the next generation in schools. 3. Maintaining strong connections between school boards, high schools, and local industries is vital, particularly in rural communities, to ensure the sector's sustainability.
Host: Maggie John

Candice Faktor joins us to discuss how AI can help unlock human potential. Candice Faktor is the co-founder of Disco, an AI-powered social learning platform. Faktor is also a keynote speaker on the future of work and believes we must invest in upskilling our workforces and use AI to augment human potential. Faktor shares why AI is more empathetic than we might think and how it can help us break free from the mundane. 
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Canadian organizations don’t have the capacity to offer upskilling opportunities, which has hurt productivity. If we can use technology to provide more opportunities to upskill and collaborate, we can close that productivity gap. 2. AI can be used to build personalized learning experiences, which are crucial but difficult for businesses to facilitate. 3. AI is hyper aware and can glean insights about your workforce, its learning patterns, and potential that you might miss.
Host: Maggie John

Shamira Madhany discusses the barriers that many skilled immigrants face when entering the Canadian workforce. Madhany is Managing Director, Canada and Deputy Executive Director, World Education Services. Madhany explains how post-secondary institutions can help immigrants bridge the ‘Canadian experience’ barrier with bridging programs, or by helping international students access pathways to employment.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Helping international professionals get their credentials recognized in Canada can play a “very significant” role in keeping our economy competitive into the future.2. As the global marketplace for skilled talent becomes more competitive, the countries that succeed will be those able to attract immigrants by utilizing their skills and abilities to the fullest.
Host: Jeremy Strachan

Scott Sirrett joins us to discuss how young people can prepare themselves for the future of work. Stirrett is the Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, a national charity that fosters entrepreneurial skills in young Canadians. Stirrett lists work experience through internships and work-integrated learning experiences as one of the best methods of preparing for future employment success. Also important are networking and mentorship, as well as having a sense of curiosity and a willingness to keep learning.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Social and emotional skills remain important and are worth cultivating. It’s useful to be able to challenge colleagues while remaining personable and professional in a diverse environment.2. Other important skills include the ability to communicate in a clear and organized manner while customizing your message to suit distinct audiences, as well as focus and time-management/task prioritization.3. Young professionals should form a ‘personal advisory board’ of people they can consult with on important issues, such as career, mentorship, etc.
Host: Maggie John

Patrick MacKenzie joins us to discuss challenges faced by skilled immigrants and their integration into the Canadian labour market. Patrick MacKenzie is the CEO of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. He has made a career of public service from coast to coast, working in policy and program areas aimed at supporting many of Canada’s most vulnerable communities through economic and social development as well as international relations. MacKenzie shares his thoughts on how we can solve this miscommunication between employers and skilled immigrants. 
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. How employers should shift their focus from formal credentials to the actual skills required for a job. 2. The importance of recognizing that immigrants' diverse work experiences can offer fresh perspectives and drive innovation.
Host: Maggie John

Jessica Hanan joins us to discuss how she sees generative AI transforming industries. Jessica is the founder of Prompt Pilot, a leading SaaS platform that uses an AI coach to help users become expert prompters. She holds a First Class Honors Degree in AI Business Strategy, Risk Management, and Economics. As an Innovation Strategist at Altruistic, she combines financial acumen with AI expertise to drive impactful initiatives. Hanan shares her insights on how organizations can start adopting AI into their business practices, and how to upskill their employees to make the transition smoother.   
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Generative AI is rapidly transforming industries, with organizations at various stages of adoption. Some are beginning with AI strategy and upskilling, while others dive in quickly.2. Experimenting with free tools is a great way to get started. 3. A small crucial step that most companies are missing… a comprehensive strategy! 
Host: Maggie John

Sasha Tregebov explains how applying insights from behavioural science can improve the design and delivery of policies, programs and services. As the Director of BIT Canada, Tregebov works to bring a more human-centred and evidence-driven approach to supporting job seekers, workers, and employers. Tregebov explains how “choice architecture” and the “Law of Least Effort” impact the choices and decisions we make. To avoid bias and mitigate risk, organizations should examine the choice architecture of their processes for such things as hiring, promotions, and budgeting.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Tregebov believes it’s essential for organizations to identify and remove all “frictions” that could inhibit uptake of new technologies, as well as programs and services.2. Organizations need to Incorporate user uptake as a core element of program design, rather than leaving it out of the design process.
Host: Maggie John

Rob Henderson joins us to discuss human resources challenges in Canada’s bio-technology sector. Henderson is President and CEO of BioTalent Canada,  an in-demand partner, policy influencer, and project leader that brings together the country’s largest national bio-economy network. His work focuses on connecting employers with skilled talent and addressing workforce shortages. Henderson explains that Canada’s bio-tech sector is projected to face a shortfall of 65,000 workers by 2029. Part of the problem is that enrolment in STEM programs is down, and science graduates often lack the business skills to successfully launch their own ventures.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is “a great way for students to learn the business of science hands-on.” It’s also an equally useful opportunity for employers to identify promising students and build talent pipelines.2. AI adoption in Canada’s bio-tech sector is lagging, partly because four in five organizations is an SME, many of whom lack the resources for training and experimentation.3.Likewise, SMEs often lag behind bigger companies when it comes to hiring, partly because they are more likely to hire through informal networks. The bio-tech sector lacks representation in various communities, including women, newcomers, Indigenous Canadians, and people with a disability.
Host: Maggie John

Danielle Cadhit joins us to discuss her experience bringing a human-centred approach to investing in and empowering entrepreneurs. Danielle (Dane) Cadhit is a creative practitioner, futurist, and strategist passionate about systems design and transformation. She primarily impacts this space as the Director of Systems & Emergent Strategy at Coralus, a global community of changemakers working on initiatives, projects, and businesses practicing radical generosity in order to create a world that has humans thriving. Cadhit shares how Coralus has radicalized funding structures for women entrepreneurs, what it means to practice radical generosity, and why investment structures should strive to imitate nature. 
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Money is just one kind of capital. Entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, need access to social capital as well. 2. One of the most supportive moves investors can make is to not take equity in the companies they help launch.3. By making decision-makers more diverse and reflective of Canada’s population, we can make way for more unique and innovative ideas across Canada’s small business landscape.
Hosts: Maggie John