In this episode of Behind the Growth, Davood Shamsi, Executive Director at JPMorganChase, shares his journey from academia to industry in the field of AI and machine learning.

Davood discusses the importance of understanding business problems before applying AI solutions. He emphasizes the need to dig deep into the core issues, often uncovering better solutions than initially proposed. He also highlights the value of optimization techniques in refining AI model outputs, using examples from advertising and grocery shopping to illustrate practical applications.

Looking to the future, Davood predicts that language models will democratize financial information, making it more accessible to the average person. He also foresees significant advancements in drug discovery, driven by increased computational power. Davood concludes by advising aspiring AI professionals to build solid knowledge of AI tools and focus on their unique strengths to create competitive advantages in the field.

Davood shares his thoughts on:

- Optimizing and refining AI model outputs
- AI solutions for specific business problems
- Democratizing financial information
- Revolutionizing drug discovery
- Competitive advantage from AI knowledge

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

On this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian speaks with José Ignacio Sordo Galarza, Founder & Managing Director of CIO Eureka, about his career and insights on bridging the gap between IT and core business functions.

José emphasizes that IT professionals often need to better articulate the value of their work in a language understandable to business leaders. He shares his experience in sales early in his career, where he learned the critical skill of communicating effectively with stakeholders and "selling" solutions. This experience proved invaluable when he transitioned to an IT leadership role.

He discusses leading IT through a major merger, drawing parallels between integrating complex systems and the need to prioritize people in the process. José advocates for IT leaders to pursue "the harder right" instead of "the easier wrong," making strategic decisions that may be more challenging in the short term but ultimately deliver greater long-term value.

José shares insights on:

- The communication gap in IT
- Selling solutions in tech
- Merging complex systems
- Choosing the “harder right”
- Drivers of tech decisions

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian engages in an insightful discussion with Ujjwal Goel, Senior Director at Loblaw Companies Limited. Their conversation delves into the crucial role of data strategy within the realm of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Ujjwal underscores the critical importance of a robust data strategy for organizations aiming to harness the full potential of AI and emphasizes that this strategy should seamlessly align with business objectives, forming the bedrock upon which AI and ML initiatives are constructed. The conversation then shifts into the intricacies of data architecture, highlighting the evolution of data warehousing to data lakes and the emerging trend of combining both in a lake house concept.

Finally, the podcast delves into the evolution from centralization to decentralization in data management, advocating for a hub-and-spoke model that balances centralized governance with decentralized execution. Ujjwal also addresses the ethical dimensions of AI, underscoring the pressing need for organizations to cultivate responsible AI practices. As AI continues to reshape industries, this episode offers invaluable insights for senior executives and professionals seeking to effectively integrate data and AI strategies into their organizations.

Key Takeaways
- The evolution of data management has accelerated AI adoption.
- Aligning your data strategy with your business goals is crucial.
- Implementing ethical frameworks in AI adoption is integral to a company’s strategy.
- AI adoption may impact jobs but promises a brighter future for everyone.
- Embracing AI now is essential for growth and scalability.

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik speaks with Robert Strickland, founder and managing director of M37 Ventures, about the evolving landscape of technology, leadership, and innovation. With decades of experience leading technology initiatives across major industries, Strickland shares his insights on how businesses can balance innovation with stability in an ever-changing market.

Strickland highlights the importance of hybrid cloud strategies, data centers, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI and machine learning. He also touches on the significance of talent acquisition and the need for organizations to adapt to new ways of working, especially in the post-pandemic world. Leaders must rethink how they attract and retain talent while driving innovation and reducing organizational friction.

Throughout the episode, Strickland emphasizes the importance of global collaboration and the need for executives to embrace emerging technologies and cross-border opportunities to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced environment.

Robert shares his insights on:
- Hybrid cloud data centers
- Finding talent to drive innovation
- Balancing innovation and stability
- Fueling data revolutions with AI
- Importance of cross-border collaboration

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

Correction at 3:48: Realtor.com was the #1 real-estate website in the USA and Canada at the time.
_______

In this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian celebrates Christian Rohrer, VP of Design at TD Bank, to explore the evolution of user experience (UX) design and its broader impact on the tech industry. Christian reflects on his journey from tech support engineer to leading design teams, emphasizing the importance of understanding the human side of technology.

Christian touches on career highlights like his work on the Yahoo! homepage redesign in the early 2000s and leading the development of Realtor.com’s first mobile app, underscoring the importance of human-centered design in creating successful products. He also discusses his "three-dimensional framework" for user research methods, which helps design teams select the right tools for different situations.

The conversation covers broader topics like integrating user feedback loops, the role of AI in the future of design, and Christian’s leadership philosophy, which prioritizes soft skills and collaboration. His insights offer valuable lessons for both aspiring UX designers and seasoned professionals alike.

Christian shares insights on:
- Benefits of human-centered design
- Best approaches to product development
- The intersection of innovation and design
- AI's evolving role in UX/UI
- Leadership and team dynamics

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Mudassar Malik interviews Amit Sharma, Vice President of SMB Product and Services at TELUS, about his career transition from IT to product management. Amit provides a detailed look into his strategic process and elaborates on the decision to pursue an MBA to gain new skills and formally transition into a business-focused role.

Amit emphasizes that while his background is in IT, many skills, such as planning, execution, and risk management, are directly transferable to product management. He shares the challenges he faced, including the need to build a new network and be comfortable asking questions.

The conversation then shifts to Amit's work at TELUS, where he leads a team focused on supporting the success of small and medium businesses (SMBs) in Canada. He highlights some of the most pressing challenges facing SMBs, including talent acquisition, cybersecurity threats, and inflation. Finally, Amit shares his passion for giving back, discussing his involvement with Computer for Schools Alberta, student co-op programs, and TELUS Days of Giving. He finished by giving advice to young professionals, circling back to his career lessons, emphasizing the importance of asking questions, building on your network, and taking risks.

Amit also discusses:

- The key to new roles and career progression
- How vulnerability and curiosity can drive growth
- Acting as an owner and embracing accountability
- The major challenges facing SMBs today
- The importance of giving back

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, Imran Mian sits down with Andree Gosselin O'Meara, VP of Customer Support at ecobee, to explore her career journey and the transformative projects she has led. Andree shares her experience in customer service, starting from her early days at Xerox to her current role at ecobee, where she has been instrumental in driving digital transformation and enhancing customer experiences.

Andree delves into the large-scale initiatives she has overseen, including moving a contact center and implementing advanced tools like Salesforce and Amazon Connect. She emphasizes the importance of embracing new technology and rethinking traditional processes to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

The conversation also touches on ecobee’s commitment to sustainability, highlighting how the company integrates energy management and environmental considerations into its products. Andree discusses the future of home automation and the role of AI in delivering proactive customer support, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of smart home technology.

Andree shares her thoughts on:
- People-centric customer service
- Sustainable comfort in home automation
- Data donation and why it’s essential
- Embracing new technologies
- Proactive customer support

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.

In this episode of Behind the Growth, host Imran Mian celebrates Gurvinder Gill, Chief Information and Security Officer at the Toronto Parking Authority. Gurvinder recounts his 22-year career journey, detailing his roles at Longo's, Credit Valley Hospital, and Canada Health Infoway, where he led significant digital transformations. He then dives into his current role, focusing on mobility solutions, customer-centric approaches, and environmental sustainability.

Next, Gurvinder highlights the innovative Green P app, which simplifies parking in Toronto, and the future of mobility as a service, including autonomous vehicles and smart city initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of integrating new technologies to enhance customer experiences while reducing environmental impact. Gurvinder also discusses the challenges of implementing these technologies and the need for collaboration among municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

In the final segment, Gurvinder reflects on his personal leadership philosophy, stressing the importance of continuous learning, challenging oneself, and mentoring future leaders. This episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of urban mobility and the role of leadership in driving technological advancements.

Gurvinder shares his thoughts on:
- Digital transformation
- Customer-centric solutions
- Mobility as a service
- The key to Smart Cities
- Innovation and growth

Visit mobilelive.ca/podcast to learn more about each guest and read key insights for every episode.