This Professional Life

In today’s fast-paced digital world, where networking often happens through clicks and likes, the art of genuine relationship building is more critical than ever. Yet, in business development and sales, it’s becoming a lost skill.In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Steve Elliott, a business development guru who has mastered the long game of authentic connections. Steve shares his secrets on:How to build trust quickly in a fast-moving digital landscapeThe long-term habits that keep you top-of-mind in your industryWhy face-to-face relationships still matter in B2B salesThe power of follow-ups, personal touchpoints, and remembering key detailsWhether you’re an aspiring sales professional or a seasoned business developer, this conversation is packed with strategies to help you build and maintain high-value professional relationships.

In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Kelly Kennedy, founder of Capital Business Development and host of the successful Business Development Podcast. We'll explore the evolving landscape of personal branding as we head into 2025.Kelly shares his journey from reluctant car salesman to influential business development expert, discussing how authenticity, vulnerability, and strategic relationship-building were key to his success. We chat about the power of personal branding, the challenges of content creation, and how to stand out in an AI-saturated world by embracing genuine human connection.Kelly's insights on leveraging LinkedIn, balancing authenticity with professionalism, and sustaining long-term content strategies will inspire and empower you to build a brand that truly resonates.

In this episode of This Professional Life, we sit down with Chad Jenkins, a successful entrepreneur who has started and grown over 35 businesses. Chad shares his journey from growing up on a farm to becoming a leader in business innovation and collaboration. Learn how Chad leveraged his curiosity to create value, the lessons he learned from early ventures, and why collaboration is key to overcoming obstacles. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Chad’s insights on business growth, innovation, and mindset will inspire you to take your business to the next level.

In this episode of "This Professional Life", we dive into the overlooked dimensions of artificial intelligence, where we explore the hidden layers of AI's impact on society, regulations, and environmental concerns. We attempt to uncover the intricate web of artificial intelligence beyond its technological marvels, focusing on the pressing need for comprehensive AI regulation, the environmental footprint of AI related computing centers, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and the profound implications of data usage and privacy. This episode sheds light on the critical conversations we need to have about AI's role in our future, urging a balanced approach to its development and application.Thank you to Daniel Stanley of Future Narratives Labs futurenarrativeslab.org and The Joseph Rowntree Foundation for commissioning the article from Dan https://www.jrf.org.uk/ai-for-public-good/what-we-dont-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-ai

In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the mind of Shawn Kanungo, a master strategist, author of "The Bold Ones", and innovation expert. Shawn shares his insights on how to emulate the disruptive tactics of history's most influential figures, from Drake to Elon Musk, and apply them to your own business endeavors. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to shake up your industry or an intrapreneur aiming to innovate from within, this conversation is packed with actionable advice, personal anecdotes from Shawn's journey, and a roadmap for creating your own disruption.

I sat down with Leah Tolton, an accomplished lawyer, entrepreneur, and Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), as she shared her unique journey from a rural upbringing to a thriving legal career. In this episode, Leah delves into the challenges and rewards of corporate law, the significance of building strong professional relationships, and the importance of lifelong learning. Her experiences in navigating family-run businesses, managing high-profile clients, and balancing personal and professional growth offer valuable lessons for professionals like lawyers, accountants, and financial planners. Gather insights, practical advice, and inspiration for professionals looking to advance their careers and grow their practice.

In this episode of This Professional Life Podcast, host Chris Yeung interviews Lynette Tremblay, former COO of Invest Alberta and co-founder of The Mythifying Brand, about personal branding. They discuss how personal brands intersect with corporate brands, why organizations should encourage employees to develop their personal brands, strategies for building your brand within a company, using social media and websites for branding, and myths around personal branding. Lynette shares insights from her experience and a new podcast focused on helping people create an authentic personal brand aligned with their purpose and values. Key topics covered include aligning your brand with company culture, telling compelling stories on social media, practicing self-reflection to uncover your "why", and embracing all aspects of your identity in your brand.

Lynette Tremblay, former COO of Invest Alberta, shares insights on economic development strategies for cities, states, and countries looking to attract business investment. In this episode, we chat about a few topics:The importance of talent attraction and retention policies that focus on company culture and values rather than treating people like commoditiesDiversifying Alberta's energy sector into renewable energy, clean tech, hydrogen, carbon capture, and critical mineralsLeveraging Alberta's expertise in sustainable resource development to provide emissions reduction solutions globallyAg tech innovations happening in Alberta like meat packaging technology to keep meat fresh for 2 years and plant-based proteinsThe concept of circular economy and the symbiotic relationships between companies reusing each other's waste and byproductsThe value of targeted strategic partnerships that align with a region's authentic strengths and specializationsCool innovations Lynette has seen like stingless bees, mushroom protein mimicking meat, and unexpected partnerships between Alberta and BrazilThe need for better storytelling to inspire youth, retain talent, and shift outdated perceptions of Alberta