In this episode of Behind the Growth, join Mudassar Malik as he sits down with Managing Director of ASG and Simplii Financial, Jimmy Dinh. Jimmy describes his university days as a computer engineer during the transformative dot-com boom, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities he encountered at the start of his career. He was inspired not only by the technology itself, but also by the business of technology and the entrepreneurial spirit he encountered while working in Silicon Valley.

The conversation shifts to innovation, emphasizing the need for execution rather than treating it as theater. The essence of innovation, whether incremental or disruptive, always aims to improve lives. Jimmy emphasizes that it's crucial to recognize that success doesn't happen overnight; it often follows numerous failed attempts and iterations. The discussion then turns to AI, which Jimmy sees as an emerging platform for innovation across industries, including finance. Once again simplicity is important; it’s crucial now to separate what is true AI innovation and what is noise.

Finally, Jimmy offers advice to his younger self, advocating for taking more calculated risks, gaining exposure across various industries, aligning oneself with growth and learning, and working in environments that promote change. He stresses the importance of finding inspiring mentors, presenting these elements as key ingredients for success.

Key Takeaways:
- Avoid innovation as theatre; the real value lies in its execution
- Whether incremental or disruptive, innovation should always better lives
- Success doesn’t happen overnight; it takes several failed iterations to get there
- AI is the next innovation platform for all industries, including financial
- It’s easier to complicate things than keeping it simple

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