Leaders Of Tomorrow Podcast

Latest Episodes:

248 | Eric Janssen | How to Be Great at Selling Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, we interview Eric Janssen, faculty, Ivey Business School at Western University who shares with us his distilled wisdom on the art of selling, the power of story-telling, and tips for achieving a good work-life balance.

After graduating from the Ivey School of Business, Eric continued as a lecturer with the same school for three years.

But in 2008, Eric decided to venture into the corporate world. As the Director of Strategy and Business Development at Mobiroo, Eric helped grow this nascent business which enables telecom operators to distribute top content.

He went on to work in Wrapp and Intellitix – both technology companies in creative niches.

Particularly, Eric talks at length about his work at Intellitix, and how their game-changing technology helped event organizers improve profitability and enhance the overall experience.

Alongside, Eric also went on to invest in various path-breaking start-ups including a brewing company and an online education company.

In 2018, Eric decided to transition back to teaching by coming back to the Ivey Business School. He shares his research-oriented teaching approach, and why he has chosen to teach sales – a grossly-neglected subject.

He also talks about the importance of maintaining a good work life balance in this segment of the show.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

The many advantages of online education
How do you figure out your ideal client avatar, and reach out to them?
How do I teach resilience to my students?
How to leverage the power of story-telling
Why great salespeople are always good listeners and good question-askers
No-mo-phobia, and how it’s massively impacting our productivity level
What is the one thing that can help you find success in sales?
And so much more…

Resources

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

247 | Angela Lister | Shedding Your Ego, Working Strategically, and Gaining Maximum Momentum Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

Is your ego preventing you from working to your full potential?

On today’s show, we talk with Angela Lister who shares with us her thoughts on shedding your ego, continuous learning, and the importance of surrounding yourself with great mentors.

In her first year as a student painter, admittedly, Angela was working with a chip on her shoulder. While she undoubtedly worked really hard, she channelled her energies incorrectly and refused to take the help of her mentors and accountability partners.

And, as a result, she ended her first year with lukewarm success.

Having learnt her lesson, Angela changed her approach dramatically in her second year. In her second year, Angela decided to lean heavily on her accountability partners.

In this segment of the show, you will learn how Angela managed to complete an extremely difficult project (and her largest) just because she had a strong support system.

We wrap up this show by sharing some of the most important attributes that you are likely to find in a leader of tomorrow.

Do not miss this one!

What You Will Learn In This Show

What do top performers do differently?
Sharing my first-year experience as a student operator
Shedding your ego and running your business strategically
How my mentors and accountability buddies helped me finish my largest and most difficult painting job
How to set goals, remain motivated, and stay on-course
And so much more…

Resources

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

246 | Ed Buset | The Biggest Things that Helped Me Build a $40 Million Contracting Business Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, we interview Ed Buset of New City Contracting who shares with us how he transitioned from being a student painter to running a $40 million construction business.

Born to first-generation immigrants, Ed shares that he was born in a typical, hard-working Italian family. So, he grew up working odd jobs and quickly understanding the value of money.

Getting the Student Works internship helped him learn important foundational lessons in communication and cooperation – which helped him grow and scale his contracting business.

One of the main themes that we touch upon in today’s show is the importance of running a systemized and disciplined business.

As someone who works in the contracting space, Ed gives us a peek into his business philosophy which has catapulted him ahead of the competition. He also shares the importance of always completing a project – on schedule in this segment of the show.

Getting ISO has further helped Ed and his team run their operations in a systemized manner.

Other topics discussed on today’s show include the importance of diversity and continuous learning.

This is a show you do not want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

Why working with integrity is the one thing that can take your business forward
Leveraging diversity for building a dream team
Importance of documenting your processes
Opportunities in the contracting space
Expert tips for finishing a construction project on schedule
And so much more…

Resources

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

245 | How to Think About Your Career? Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, Chris shares how you can make smart career decisions that truly catapult you ahead.

You will learn the importance of making smart and insightful decisions as you step into professional life.

If you are not thinking about your choices, you will end up working in the wrong field – which will eventually lead to frustration and poor or at the best, average results.

And so much more…

What You Will Learn In This Show

Why you need to work in a results economy to truly ‘make it big’
Why contracting and sales are extremely promising yet overlooked fields
Personality assessment tools to help you out
And so much more…

Resources

Kolbe

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

244 | Matthew Eidinger | How to Successfully Venture Outside Your Comfort Zone Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

What are some key attributes that will catapult you ahead of the competition?

On today’s show, we interview Matthew Eidinger who shares with us his thoughts on time management, goal-setting, and venturing outside your comfort zone.

Matthew was initially attracted to the Student Works internship because he saw it as an opportunity to develop several transferable and foundational skill-sets – namely, marketing, sales, and production management.

And, as an introvert, Matthew was keen on developing these skill-sets that he knew would help him through the course of his career.

Additionally, on today’s show, he also shares with us the work that he did as the President of McGill Political Science Students Association. Apart from Student Works, this experience helped Mathew evolve into a dynamic leader capable of moving the needle forward.

Upon graduation from McGill, Matthew was working towards his goal of becoming a lawyer. But he decided to pivot after landing his dream job with Cambridge Global Payments, a boutique foreign exchange broker. You will get some interesting insights into Matthew’s role and responsibilities in this segment of the show.

Currently, Matthew is also pursuing his Masters in Finance at the London School of Business.

This is a show you do not want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

Tips for introverts who are considering joining the Student Works program
3 things that I learned from the program that I rely on too date
How my Student Works internship helped me get my dream job at Cambridge Global Payments
How I managed to clear my CFA while working a full-time job
And so much more…

Resources

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

243 | Bill Maginas | How to Make Your Mark in The Corporate World Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, we interview Bill Maginas who shares with us his distilled wisdom on leveraging knowledge, branding, and finding success in the corporate world.

We start this show with Bill recalling his life before Student Works. Born to Greek immigrants, Bill was always entrepreneurial and had a big engine for work. And this was why he was instantly attracted to Student Works when he was in his first year in college.

You will learn how a “structured approach to being an entrepreneur” can work wonders for you – the same way it worked for Bill.

After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier, Bill joined Honeywell in November 1999. In his 17-year-long stint here, Bill got an opportunity to work in different countries and across a wide range of industry verticals.

In 2016, Bill was appointed as the President of Johnson Controls. In his new role, Bill shares how he dramatically altered the organizational structure to improve overall efficiencies. In this segment of the show, you will also learn how to maintain your work relationships and part with your employer on a good note.

Currently, as the CEO of Great Northern Insulation, Bill shares how he is leveraging knowledge and attempting to make his mark in a commoditized industry.

This is a show you do not want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

Importance of being action-oriented and failing cheap
How to have an authentic, clear-cut conversation and part with your employer on a good note
Nuanced advice for those looking to taking the entrepreneurial route
And so much more…

Resources

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

242 | Maddie Quirk | Shedding Your Ego and Operating a Stellar Business in 2020 Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, we interview student painter-manager, Maddie Quirk who shares her distilled wisdom on shedding your ego, working with integrity, and why motivation is an overrated concept.

Before joining Student Works, Maddie was frustrated with the management and desperately looking for an alternative. This is when she came across Student Works.

In her first year as a student painter, Maddie had a difficult time, admittedly because of her “huge ego”. Her unwillingness to learn, be present, and listen to people meant that Maddie had a challenging time.

But she learnt well. And in her second year as a student manager, she managed to triple her revenues and quadruple her profits.

In this segment of the show, she shares how her second year is in stark contrast to her first year. Particularly, you will learn how Maddie has moved into a consulting position where she is training and grooming other painters.

Other topics discussed on today’s show include the importance of working with integrity, and how Maddie operated a stellar business in the year of covid.

This is a show you do not want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

Why motivation is overrated
How I ran a stellar painting business in the year of covid
How I overcame mindset barriers in my first year as a student painter
And so much more…

Resources

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

241 | Oliver Letourneau and Simon Benoit | Balancing Growth and Profitability and The Many Perks of a Business Partnership Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, we have Oliver and Simon, co-founders, Construction Jackapole who share with us their distilled wisdom on entrepreneurship, the many advantages of a business partnership, and how to balance growth and profitability.

Oliver and Simon’s Montreal-based construction business clocked revenues of $3 MM last year. After kick starting operations barely three years back, Oliver and Simon have managed to assemble a dream team and an enviable clientele in a very short period of time.

Admittedly, they made many mistakes and slow progress in the first year of their operations. Oliver and Simon reveal how prioritizing growth over profitability proved to be their biggest mistakes in this segment of the show.

Here, you will learn the importance of cherry-picking the right clients so that your growth does not spiral out of control.

One of the main things that we touch upon today are the many advantages of a business partnership. You will learn how Oliver’s and Simon’s starkly contrasting and complementary personalities are powering growth and taking their organization to newer heights.

Entrepreneurship can be lonely, and a well-structured partnership can truly work to your advantage.

Some of the other important topics that we discuss today are the different perks of entrepreneurship, why you need to work on building client relationships, and the importance of doing what you say.

This is a show you do not want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

What are some of the massive upsides of being in a partnership?
How to balance growth and profitability
Why scaling back was one of the best decisions that we made this year
Looking back and appreciating the progress
And so much more…

Resources

Construction Jackalope

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

240 | Kathleen Fitzpatrick | Running A Painting Business Amidst The Pandemic Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

On today’s show, we interview the incredible Kathleen Fitzpatrick who shares with us her distilled wisdom on resilience, employee satisfaction, and women in business.

Growing up, Kathleen was busy with her studies and competitive swimming. And so, she never held a part time job till she came across Student Works. The opportunity to do something different and be her own boss had Kathleen immediately excited and she was quick to sign up.

In the next segment of the show, Kathleen shares how the Student Works stint has helped her grow as a person.

When covid first struck, Kathleen was admittedly scared and withdrew into a shell. But she was quick to pivot so that her marketing and training was more attuned to the new normal.

We also talk a great deal about the importance of keeping your employees happy in this segment of the show.

In her first year, Kathleen ended up running a $90,000 painting business. In 2021, her revenues grew to $140,000 in 2021. And she is all set to run a $250,000 next year.

This show will be particularly interesting for all the women who are scouting around for a rewarding internship.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In this Show

Importance of overcoming your reticence of asking for help
Why happy employees means happy customers
How the Student Works program is preparing me for my future life
How I ended up running a stellar painting business in the year of the pandemic
And so much more…

Resources

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

239 | Garth Friesen | A Peek into the World of Investment Banking Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

Ever wondered what the world of investment banking looks like? And about the pressures and challenges that bankers go through on a daily basis?

On today’s show, we have with us Garth Friesen who shares with us distilled wisdom on resilience, investing vs. trading, and risk management.

19-year-old Garth got into Student Works just because “his friends were doing it”. And while he already had the book smarts, running a painting business helped Garth develop the life smarts that laid the base for a spectacular career.

Inspired by a friend of his, Garth decided to get into investment banking, and his first employer was a Japanese Bank based out of Toronto.

After getting some experience under his belt, Garth was quick to figure out that he was lacking in certain important skills. And he decided to pursue a full-time MBA.

Having a full-time MBA did not make it any easier for Garth to get his “foot inside the door”. And he had to go through 12 interviews to get accepted at Merrill Lynch.

This segment of the show is particularly interesting as Garth emphasizes the importance of resilience when you are going after your dream job.

And once you snag your dream job, you have to start at the bottom, and work your butt off to prove yourself – and differentiate yourself from your peers who are equally capable and hard-working as you.

Garth’s attitude towards failures, or setbacks, as he prefers to call them, is particularly refreshing.

We talk about the importance of EQ vs. IQ, risk management, and the difference between investing and trading in today’s show.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

Why trading is NOT a solo sport (The importance of collaboration and EQ in trading)
Understanding the dynamics of the trading world
Trading vs. Investing – why they are fundamentally different
How a reluctance to cut your losses can lead you to lose your shirt
And so much more…

Resources

Bite the Ass off a Bear

Student Works

Chris Thomson LinkedIn

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