The Catalyst by Softchoice

Season 6 of The Catalyst by Softchoice kicks off with an episode that questions conventional wisdom about IT leadership. Aaron Brooks sits down with Eric Champagne, CIO of La Vie en Rose, to hear how Eric is flipping the script. Eric’s story is all about bridging a longstanding gap between IT and end-users, with the goal of making technology a tool for empowerment and efficiency.Gone are the days of tech gatekeeping. Eric champions a philosophy where technology aligns seamlessly with business goals and, more crucially, the people it serves. His approach? Ditching the tech jargon for a language of collaboration and understanding, making him a leader in creating a more inclusive, user-focused IT culture.Featuring: Eric Champagne, CIO, La Vie En RoseThe Catalyst by Softchoice is a podcast about unleashing the full potential in people and technology.

This season on The Catalyst, a podcast about unleashing the full potential in people and technology, co-hosts Aaron Brooks and Heather Haskin explore the transformative power of tech, not just within businesses, but also through the personal journeys of those at the forefront of change. Every episode is packed with stories of triumph and the valuable lessons learned from the setbacks along the way. Tune in bi-weekly and discover why the most important conversations surrounding people in tech are happening right here.Learn more: softchoice.com/podcast

Imagine everyone with a great business idea could make it happen without a deep engineering bench or tens of millions of dollars in funding. How would that change competition in an already hypercompetitive marketplace? How do the principles of responsible AI show up when AI is accessible to everyone? What responsibility do enterprise firms have to help shape a world where this technology benefits all of us?On this episode of The Catalyst, host Aaron Brooks meets with  Robert Daigle, Director of Global AI Business at Lenovo, to unpack these and other issues surrounding the fast-moving democratization of generative AI. Robert explains the 5 AI transformation imperatives that guide Lenovo’s responsible AI committee along with the need for enterprise leaders to work with governments to balance real innovation with responsible AI policy. Resources mentioned:●      Responsible AI: From Managing Risk to Driving Business Value●      Responsible AI will give you a competitive advantageFeaturing: Robert Daigle, Director, Global AI Business, Lenovo  The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology. This episode is brought to you by Lenovo. From the pocket to the cloud, Lenovo is bringing AI to your business, so you can grow and innovate. Contact a Softchoice Sales Specialist or visit lenovo.com/ai to learn more.

Robotic exoskeletons have gotten a whole lot better.No longer just for rehabilitation, manufacturer German Bionic is applying active exoskeleton devices to support workers in a number of ways. These wearable robotic devices work in tandem with the user, allowing them to handle a wider range of physical tasks. The result: physically-demanding jobs are now open to a wider range of candidates.Meghan Kennelly is Head of Global Marketing at German Bionic and our guest on The Catalyst. Their active exoskeletons use motors and battery power to help with lifting, supporting the lower back and giving walking assistance. Sensors collect data to track movements, lifts, posture, and more. German Bionic has seen traction in US manufacturing sector and recently launched a healthcare exoskeleton for lifting and moving patients. Kennelly outlines the perhaps surprising ROI on active exoskeletons, including in reduced sick days and injury claims, better insight into ergonomics and higher production output. These devices can also help address the ongoing labor shortage.  Featuring: Meghan Kennelly, Head of Global Marketing, German BionicThe Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology. 

Is a cybersecurity utopia – where no CISO lies awake at night worrying about threats known and unknown – even possible? If you believe “yes,” how do you get others to share that vision? That’s what we discussed with Lou Senko, Chief Availability Officer at global banking technology company Q2 on this episode of The Catalyst. First and foremost, Senko doesn’t believe in leading with the fear factor. Fear, he says, only frees up some of the wallet.   He talks with host Cheryl Stookes about his strategies for improving security posture and justifying security budgets, whether you’re a small business or a major enterprise. He also outlines his personal approach to getting the most  value from security investments. And, with the security talent shortage showing no signs of abating, he shares his experience recruiting against giants Tesla, Oracle and Dell in the fast-growing tech hub of Austin, Texas.    Cheryl also signs off as co-host of The Catalyst, as she takes on a new and opportunity outside Softchoice. Thank you, Cheryl. We wish you all the best with your latest chapter!   Featuring: Lou Senko, Chief Availability Officer at Q2  Resources: Read Lou Senko’s white paper Demystifying Zero Trust and learn about Q2’s community initiative Spark.   The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.  

As a CISO, how do you know when you’re getting through to the board and the C-suite?  One way is to look at the quality of the questions they ask you.  Are they learning?  This is just one of the questions Kevin Magee fields a lot during “CISO therapy,” a discipline he finds himself practicing more often as Chief Security Officer at Microsoft Canada. Aside from the technology components, the thing his “clients” want to talk about most is how to build, sustain and grow those all-important executive relationships. To conclude National Cybersecurity Awareness Month on the Catalyst, host Cheryl Stookes chats with Kevin about how CISOs can break through with boards and leadership.  He also dives into the cybersecurity skills shortage, which he names a symptom of too narrow an approach to finding candidates. Instead, he says, those seeking cybersecurity talent should look beyond the relatively small pool of technologists and consider backgrounds in psychology, criminology and law enforcement – that is, people who understand how cybercriminals think, behave and operate.  Universities and other training institutions have a part to play here, too. He discusses “reverse mentoring relationships” with younger members on the team. After all, the security leader’s job is not to be the best technical problem-solver, but to define the problem and empower others to solve it.  Featuring: Kevin Magee, Chief Security Officer, Microsoft Canada The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology. This episode is brought to you by Microsoft's Workplace Security Solutions. See how Softchoice can help you get started with Zero Trust and fill every gap in your security infrastructure with Microsoft. Reach out to a Softchoice Solutions Specialist or visit softchoice.com/microsoft-zerotrust to learn about our custom workshops and services. 

 Is it time to pick a cybersecurity safeword? Mike Storm, Cisco Cybersecurity Distinguished Engineer and our guest on The Catalyst, thinks so. With over 30 years of cybersecurity experience, even he finds himself challenged by new AI-powered scams. Why?  The short answer: At the heart of it, humans are an easier target than computers and software, because human psychology and behaviour have been known quantities for millennia, he says.  Attackers prey on behavior wired into us by exploiting things like the “click principle,” the unconscious reflex that drives us to click on links, buttons and other shiny digital objects without a second thought.  With AI at their disposal and uninhibited by ethical, legal or regulatory concerns, these bad actors are already able to contextualize these attacks in ways that become more intimate and convincing all the time. How can “the good guys” respond?   Storm and host Aaron Brooks talk about how, in this world, everything from devices, applications, links, and infrastructure and trust is based on identity. Distributed identities will become more of an object you own, says Storm. He also sheds some light on the next phase of cybersecurity’s evolution and provides his tips for making yourself “un-hackable.”    Featuring: Mike Storm, Cybersecurity Distinguished Engineer at Cisco The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.  This episode of The Catalyst is brought to you by Cisco Security Solutions. Defend against threats and safeguard the most vital aspects of your business. Reach out to a Cisco expert at Softchoice to learn more or visit softchoice.com/cisco-security-solutions.   

It’s official: generative AI has permeated the culture, appearing in conversations at work, around the dinner table and yes, even over drinks with friends. With 2024 on the horizon and technology budgets due to reset, C-suite leaders and boards are talking about it, too.  So how do you take this hot topic from casual chat to enterprise strategy?   This week, Craig McQueen, VP of Digital Acceleration at Softchoice, joins hosts Cheryl and Aaron on location at their favorite watering hole to discuss why now is the time to act on GenAI implementation – and, more importantly, how to go about it.  The discussion uncovered 3 steps for adopting large language models (LLMs) in a business context. First, find your use case – a hypothesis for proving whether GenAI will solve your business problem. Next, determine the data needed and do a full security review. Then, start testing, iterating and seeking out those internal enthusiasts to help lead the change. Featuring: Craig McQueen, Vice President of Digital Acceleration, Softchoice The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology. Want to unlock the power of Gen AI in your business? See how Softchoice’s Catalyst Generative AI Workshop can help: Softchoice.com/GenAI. 

Will your next new colleague be a machine? It’s no longer so far-fetched. Natural language interfaces will soon replace software UIs we’re used to with good old fashioned conversation.  That’s according to Doug Smith, GM of Solutions for Microsoft Canada.  This week on The Catalyst, he provides insights into the rapid adoption of GenAI, the hype around it, and why it matters to your business today more than ever.  GenAI tools, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, are going to make significant changes to the ways we do our jobs, augmenting human capabilities and boosting productivity. Smith walks us through Microsoft’s view on pressing concerns about AI, from its impact on jobs to ethical ethical considerations, while reinforcing the importance of a responsible approach to AI. He also outlines his advice for leaders and boards on educating themselves and adopting GenAI into their organizations with a focus on empowering everyone involved. Featuring: Doug Smith, General Manager of Solutions for Microsoft CanadaThe Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology. This episode of The Catalyst is brought to you by Microsoft Copilot.Want to explore the possibilities of GenAI in your business?Contact Softchoice today or visit Softchoice.com/genai to learn about our Genitive AI Catalyst Workshop and start harnessing the power of AI securely. 

The best sci-fi stories explore the question, “What exactly does it mean to be human in the face of evolving technology?”As we dive headfirst into the era of generative AI, this philosophical question has taken on a new, more practical dimension. As GenAI begins to upend the ways we work, live and do business, where do humans fit in? How will it change the ways we think about ourselves? In this episode, host Aaron Brooks explores the influences of AI on the evolution of human society with Prof. Alexander Manu of OCAD University and Mario Bourgoin, AI Specialist at AWS. The discussion ranges from the intersection of AI with art, creativity and more with practical advice as to how we ordinary humans can get ready for the changes to come. Featuring: Prof. Alexander Manu, acclaimed author and philosopher and Mario Bourgoin, AI Specialist from Amazon Web ServicesThe Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast shining light on the human side of technology.Support our sponsor: This episode was sponsored by AWS and Softchoice’s Lift and Shift cloud migration solution. Take full advantage of the cloud– and leave no opportunity untapped – with our seamless, guided services. Visit softchoice.com/awsmigration to get started today. Books referenced in the episode:Mechanization Takes Command by Siegfried Giedion Technics and Civilization by Lewis Mumford  The Philosophy of Disruption by Alexander Manu

“Upskill or fall behind.” That’s the message to millions of workers facing sweeping changes in technology and a generous helping of economic uncertainty. Okay, but upskill in what, exactly?  In this episode, host Cheryl Stookes meets with Kian Katanforoosh, the CEO and Co-founder of Workera. This California company’s platform uses AI to produce accurate and unbiased skills assessments. From there, it matches workers with the right training plans and materials to meet personal career goals, close organizational skills gaps and get more out of investments in training content.  Cheryl and Kian also explore what big advances in automation may mean for workers, what it will take to find staying power in the future and where AI can help rather than hurt. Kian also shares his thoughts on the continuing importance of mentorship and the need for leaders to be proactive in finding skills gaps to stay ready for change.  Featuring: Kian Katanforoosh, CEO and Co-founder of Workera The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast shining a light on the human side of IT leaders and reframing our relationship with technology.  

Did you always want to do what you do? Or did your grades and test scores suggest you’d be good at it? The 2020s are quickly being characterized by astonishing leaps in technology. Meanwhile, our education systems have remained anchored in 19th-century thinking. Rooted in standardized, one-size-fits-all models, the way we engage, develop and measure success for students is about to undergo a profound change thanks to, you guessed it, artificial intelligence. In this episode of The Catalyst, our host Aaron meets with Dr. David Vroonland, the executive director of LEARN, the Learning Environments Action Resource Network, and a consultant to the education sector with Softchoice. They explore a new approach to education that uses AI models to create personalized, self-guided learning paths for students, tailored to their demonstrated passions and interests, rather than aptitude alone.  Dr. Vroonland believes it’s poised to reshape the way we teach and learn for good.  Featuring: Dr. David Vroonland, Executive Director of LEARN and a consultant with Softchoice. The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast shining a light on the human side of IT leaders and reframing our relationship with technology.  

Our data is in danger.  It’s in danger from cybercriminals and malicious state actors. It’s in danger from more frequent and devastating natural disasters. It’s in danger from gaps and oversights in security posture. It’s in danger from people inside our organizations, whether they mean well or otherwise.  It takes heroic efforts from IT teams to prevent the worst outcomes. But who are the people making a difference behind the scenes? How do we find more of them?  This week on The Catalyst, Cheryl meets Terence Gleeson, Senior Director of VMware Cloud on AWS. The topic: the smart, talented (and hard-to-find) people who protect our data when and where it matters most. Gleeson shares some inspiring examples, including that of the IT team at one of Ukraine’s largest retailers, who established data recovery capabilities in the middle of a war. He also lets us in on his advice for finding your IT heroes, the right way to recover from ransomware and how AI is adding new stakes to the cybersecurity conversation.  Featuring: Terence Gleeson, Senior Director of VMware Cloud on AWS  The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology. This episode of The Catalyst is brought to you by VMware Cloud. Contact Softchoice and discover how VMware Cloud and Softchoice can be your partners in creating a seamless any cloud experience. Visit softchoice.com/vmc to get started today.  

Have you ever wondered how the products you use make their way across the world to reach you? The answer is industry ecosystems, intricate webs of people, processes and technology that connect our world and economy behind the scenes. In this episode of The Catalyst, we unravel the concept of industry ecosystems with guest John Comacchio, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Teknion, a future-focused office furniture manufacturer. From new supply chain hurdles to sustainability imperatives and changing definitions of “the workplace,” we explore how Teknion has rethought its approach. Get a deeper look into the hidden machinery behind the global economy and the extraordinary minds moving it forward. Featuring: John Comacchio, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Teknion The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast shining a light on the human side of technology. 

The global semiconductor shortage, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, set off a cascading set of challenges. The resulting disruption made it harder than ever to get electronic components and products to where they were needed, leaving consumers, businesses and other organizations in the lurch. Compounding the issue: heavy reliance on semiconductor production in Asia, mainly Taiwan. As uncertainty continues to define the 2020s and geopolitical tensions rise, how can we apply what we’ve learned to prevent another crisis? In this episode of The Catalyst by Softchoice, host Cheryl Stookes joins Phil Vokins, Director of Channels, ISVs and Cloud at Intel. Drawing on his deep experience in the semiconductor industry, Vokins dives deep into the coordinated efforts, strategic investments and sustainable approaches by business and government to address the recent shortage and gird against future disruptions.Featuring: Phil Vokins, Director of Channels, ISVs and Cloud at IntelThe Catalyst is the podcast shining a light on the human side of technology.This episode was brought to you by the Intel vPro platform, delivering unmatched performance and comprehensive security right to your fingertips. See how Softchoice can help you unlock the full potential of your hybrid workspace with Intel vPro today.

Decarbonizing our energy grid will take a lot more than adopting alternative power sources. That’s the founding principle behind Recurve, a company on a mission to speed the transition to a carbon-free economy, while making the already fragile energy grid more reliable. Aaron meets with Recurve CEO Matt Golden to discuss why decarbonizing the grid calls for a new approach to flexible demand, through what Recurve calls “virtual power plants.”The discussion highlights the importance of demand-side flexibility and load balancing, the complexities of modernizing a grid, and how Google Cloud is making Recurve's mission possible.Golden is a recognized thought leader in the energy efficiency industry. Whether testifying before Congress or auditing Ellen DeGeneres’ house, Matt has been spreading the word about energy efficiency for years. An entrepreneur, policy advocate and efficiency agitator, Matt is committed to bringing demand flexibility in the built environment to scale as a grid and climate resource. He has made presentations on emerging demand flexibility markets to the US Senate, at COP 21 and to the UK Parliament.Featuring: Matt Golden, Founder and CEO of RecurveThe Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast shining a light on the human side of technology. This episode is brought to you by Google Cloud.Speak to Softchoice today to see how we can help you use Google cloud to break down silos, unlock new insights and power innovation.

You’ve heard of AI applications for all kinds of things, from virtual assistants to super-powered medical research and even voice analysis. But AI-powered window washing? In this episode, Cheryl Stookes meets with Michael Brown, chairman and CEO of Skyline Robotics – the company behind the world's first ever robotic-armed window cleaner.Cheryl and Michael discuss the technology behind OZMO and how it combines lidar and artificial intelligence to transform the window cleaning industry. They also dive into the potential for AI and automation to affect labor markets and change the game around workplace safety within the 3 ‘Ds’ – dirty, dull and dangerous – jobs.Michael also shares insights on the importance of responsible and ethical development of AI technologies and the company's role in shaping the future of the building maintenance industry.Featuring: Michael Brown, Chairman and CEO of Skyline Robotics.The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast shining a light on the human side of technology.

Leveling up your day-to-day operations may not sound like the most exciting innovation project but let them slip and you’ve lost your customer, possibly for good. In this episode, co-host Aaron Brooks meets with Tommy Yionoulis, CEO and co-founder of OpsAnalitica, an operations management platform designed to help businesses be more efficient (and profitable) through process accountability and data. Tommy believes the biggest innovation opportunity for businesses isn’t about the shiniest new tech. It’s about efficiency, consistency and “the mighty check list.” He goes on to share what he sees shaping the future of work and how the winners will triumph through better, more consistent daily operations.Featuring: Tommy Yionoulis, CEO and co-founder of OpsAnaliticaThe Catalyst by Softchoice is a podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.

Recessions make business growth challenging – but not impossible. On this episode of The Catalyst by Softchoice, Jason Brommet, Head of Modern Work and Security at Microsoft, returns to the podcast to lay out 3 strategies to help businesses thrive during an economic downturn. From engaging people to closing skills gaps and making things simpler using new AI tools, learn what you need to succeed at doing more with less. Together Cheryl and Jason compare today's situation with the Great Recession of 2008, debate whether the pandemic gave technology leaders a head start, and look into the potential of AI tools, including Microsoft 365 Copilot.  Featuring:Jason Brommet, Head of Modern Work and Security for Microsoft North America.  The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast shining a light on the human side of technology.   This episode of The Catalyst by Softchoice is sponsored by Microsoft 365. See how Softchoice and Microsoft, together, can help your business Do More With Less: https://www.softchoice.com/m365

With Earth Day 2023 just around the corner, new co-host Cheryl Stookes meets with Anureet Kaur, Softchoice’s Sustainability Manager. They discuss what goes into creating an effective ESG strategy – one that aligns environmental and social impact with your business’ bottom line. They also delve into the challenges of reporting on ESG initiatives, a relatively new set of obstacles that many businesses are now facing in today’s economic climate. Anureet is a Toronto-based sustainability professional, climate policy researcher, public speaker and college professor. Since 2019, Anureet has been a Professor at Seneca College's Sustainable Business Management Program, where she teaches responsible leadership, social impact and climate justice. She continues to advocate for Canada's equitable, low-carbon economy and the inclusion of Indigenous voices in climate and energy strategy as a path to true reconciliation.Featuring: Anureet Kaur, Sustainability Manager at SoftchoiceSpecial thanks to Angela Cope, Areej Shah, Cheryl Castator and Magdalena Dabbour for sharing their personal insights on living more sustainably. The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast shining a light on the human side of technology.