Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we’re discussing the transformative power of technology, the advantages of embracing remote work, and the strategic benefits of diversifying your business offerings. With AI and automation driving efficiency and remote work models gaining traction, businesses must evolve to meet market demands.

Joining us is Adam Mitchell, CEO of Mitch Insurance, an Ontario-based brokerage recognized as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies. We’ll explore how embracing AI, automation, and remote work has fueled Mitch Insurance’s growth and discuss how diversifying business offerings can drive future success.

Key Highlights:

1. The Importance of Embracing AI and Automation: Adam will explain why embracing AI and automation is essential for businesses, including those in relationship-driven sectors like insurance, and how Mitch Insurance has benefited from these technologies.

2. The Benefits of Remote Work for Companies and Their Teammates: Adam will discuss the advantages Mitch Insurance has seen since adopting remote work indefinitely, for both the company and its employees.

3. Diversifying Your Business by Adding New Products/Departments to Offer Consumers More Solutions and Accelerate Growth: Adam will explain how diversifying offerings through new products and departments has helped Mitch Insurance grow and provide more comprehensive solutions to consumers.

4. Mitch Insurance's Unique History: Adam will share key moments and the vision that has driven Mitch Insurance’s growth from a small operation to a leading brokerage.

5. The Future of Work at Mitch Insurance: Adam will discuss Mitch Insurance’s commitment to remote work, including downsizing its headquarters, and what this means for the future of company culture and operations.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/

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!

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.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand, where we explore the latest technological advancements and their impact on Canadian businesses. Today, we're diving into how Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing customer service.

Joining us is Chris Ellison, Group Vice President and General Manager for ServiceNow Canada, with over 22 years of experience in sales and leadership. Chris will discuss the rise of Agentic AI in customer service, how Canadian consumers’ expectations are evolving, and how businesses can tackle the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating AI solutions.

Key Highlights:

1. The New Era of Customer Service with Agentic AI: Chris will explain what Agentic AI is and how it differs from the rule-based chatbots of the past, and the practical benefits for businesses.
   
2. Emotional Context and Seamless Customer Service: Chris will discuss how Agentic AI understands emotional context and offers a more seamless and empathetic customer service experience, including its ability to hand off to human support when necessary.
   
3. Canadian Consumer Expectations and the Trust Gap in AI: Chris will share the key findings from the Consumer Voice Report, particularly regarding Canadian expectations for emotional cue recognition and current trust levels in AI voice assistants.
   
4. Bridging the Trust Gap in AI for Sensitive Interactions: Chris will discuss how companies can bridge the trust gap when implementing Agentic AI in customer service, especially for more sensitive interactions, given the significant majority of Canadians still prefer human support for emotionally charged issues.
   

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/

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!

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.

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen, where we explore the strategies and technologies that empower small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive in today's turbulent markets. Today, we focus on inventory management and its critical role in helping businesses navigate challenges like rising tariffs and disrupted supply chains.

Joining us is Ben Hussey, Co-CEO of Katana, a cloud inventory management platform. We'll discuss how smart inventory management, data-driven forecasting, and technology can help SMBs optimize operations, maintain healthy cash flow, and meet evolving consumer demands. Let’s dive in!

Key Highlights:

1. Navigating Tariff Turbulence: Ben will discuss the current challenges regarding unit costs and how tariffs are contributing to market chaos for SMBs, based on Katana's data showing dramatic surges.

2. The Importance of Data-Driven Forecasting: Ben will explain how SMBs can leverage inventory management platforms to gain the data-driven insights needed to make crucial supply chain changes, optimize operations, and maintain healthy cash flow.

3. How Katana Has Supported Customers During Market Fluctuation: Ben will share how Katana, as an inventory management platform, has specifically supported its customers during times of market fluctuation.

4. Proactive Strategies for Turbulent Times: Ben will outline proactive strategies that Katana’s customers are implementing within their inventory management that are proving to be effective in navigating turbulent times and mitigating the impact of tariffs.

5. Katana's Holistic Optimization for SMBs and Future Growth: Ben will discuss how Katana helps SMBs holistically optimize their operations in the current climate and strategically prepare for future growth and success.

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

• RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.html
• UPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWA
• Google: https://www.google.ca/
• A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/

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!

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.