Jon Butler

This should be a great session. For my part of it I'll be talking about the future of agile.

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🚀 Exciting News! 🚀 I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my new website, virtuallylive.ca! 🌐 Are you thinking about getting a CRM or other cloud-based software for your business? Look no further! Virtually Live Software is your go-to resource hub for everything you need to know about selecting and implementing the perfect solutions to drive your business forward. What you'll find on Virtually Live Software: ✅ In-Depth Guides: Comprehensive articles on choosing the right CRM and cloud-based software tailored to your business needs. ✅ Expert Insights: Valuable tips and best practices from industry experts to help you make informed decisions. ✅ Implementation Tips: Step-by-step guides to ensure a smooth and successful software implementation process. Whether you're a small business owner or part of a large enterprise, Virtually Live Software has the resources you need to stay ahead in the digital landscape. Visit us at virtuallylive.ca and start your journey towards smarter business solutions today! #CRM #CloudSoftware #BusinessGrowth #TechSolutions #VirtuallyLiveSoftware #BusinessInnovation #SoftwareImplementation

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Thank you Colin for continuing to clearly define and express the critical situation facing the Canadian economic landscape. Logical, factual, reasonable and open discussions regarding our glaring underperformance in supporting/investing Canadian entrepreneurs and innovation to create jobs and wealth for this and future generations. TAXED TO DEATH. DOLLAR PURCHASING POWER ERODED. CRUSHING DEBT LOAD. HIGH INTEREST RATES. SUBSIDIZING FOREIGN BASED CORPORATIONS. BOONDOGGLES INSANE WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY. FRICTION AND BARRIERS FROM REGULATORY BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS WASTING TIME AND MONEY. BLOATED PUBLIC SECTOR. FALLING PRODUCTIVITY. FALLEN REPUTATION IN THE WORLD. INFLATION AND HIGH PRICES. MONOPOLIES. HELP!!!! 1 at a time, lets tackle the problems and find solutions by and for Canada and for Canadians. We have bright and competent people to do this. We at HiFidelity Networks are working against these odds to assist with the self-evident problem of affordable internet connectivity for ALL Canadians.

🇨🇦 Usually, I'd source and plot the data, but when it declines over 18 consecutive quarters, I don't think there's much point. This is why I made a pitch in April to the Sr. Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada to look to what made Japan great for ideas on how to turn our productivity around. Alas, to no avail. I guess we'll muddle through with the same-old/same-old hoping for the best but expecting the worst. From the article: "The latest decline has lasted 18 quarters, making it the second longest in the past 40 years. Only the decline of 1989 to 1994, which lasted 21 quarters, was longer... Not only does Canada lag most developed economies, Canadian provinces also fall far behind almost all U.S. states... Ontario last year had a per-person level of economic output similar to Alabama, said Tombe. The Maritimes were below Mississippi, and Quebec and Manitoba lag West Virginia. Canada’s strongest economy, Alberta beat the U.S. average, but ranked 14th overall." https://lnkd.in/dsc67Uyx #systemsthinking #leadership #deming #productivity #gdp

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Discover how Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) and the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA) are transforming entrepreneurship and innovation support in Alberta through AI Assistants. Hear directly from our guest speaker, Charlee Sereda, Program Manager at EDL, who will share: 🎙️ Their first-hand experience piloting AI Assistants in Alberta. 📚 Lessons learned from the journey. 🚀 Future plans to scale this innovative solution. Learn how AI is empowering entrepreneurs, streamlining processes, and building a data-driven ecosystem in Southern Alberta. 👉 Register now through the link in the comments! #AI #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Alberta #PublicSector #StartupSupport #startupecosystem #AIAssistants #economicdevelopment

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I've officially reopened my #freelance #software and #tech service company TechnoCraft Online #Kelowna, the #Okanagan and #Vancouver should know, your tech road warrior is back in action. #Smallbusiness owners let me know your woes and let me guide you through your problems. Like and share this post and get 20% off our typical shop rate ($120 / hr). #consultations #customcode #designs #tempwork #ai #appdesign #gamedesign #production #projectmanagement Technical isn't complicated 💪💻

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"You have to publish that as a book." - Kyle Racki No one really knows how to integrate AI as a business owner and you're unlocking and democratizing access for the small business community. After delivering a few sessions to small business owners with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce (Thank you Becky Davison, MBA, PMP for pushing me to do this). We have many more throughout Atlantic Canada on the docket through the rest of 2024 and 2025, it's clear the desire to adopt is high and the ability find the right way is proving elusive. There is really only one other meaningful business voice in Atlantic Canada right now - Robert Newcombe ⚗️. There are a few others who are mastering it in their fields - Ross Simmonds comes to mind in Marketing and of course Kyle Racki in the world of proposals. But most are struggling with few options to help them. The space is full of tools. There are giants who are claiming success. And, paradoxically, most small business implementation attempts are increasing workloads, causing frustration, and actually costing companies with little in the way of the promised returns. I have a pretty good understanding why. A book is a lot of work. Would you read a book on the way to actually integrate AI for success in your business?

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So back in 2017, quite literally on a dare, a team of 6 people decided to run FWD50 in Ottawa. I did NOT have "be a free library of hundreds of public sector innovation talks" on my Bingo card. But here we are. Since 2020, we've also been recording, captioning, and publishing our talks. In 2023, our best-attended workshop happened online—with over 850 participants. If you're wondering how AI might impact your job in the public sector, you should watch it. It's called "How to use AI tools for your work in government," from our amazing partners at Apolitical. https://lnkd.in/eeZ5gspA AI is transforming the public service, and this just one of many talks full of practical knowledge about service design thinking, AI, team culture, data privacy, and more. Did I mention this was free? In 7 years, FWD50 has become not just an event where the people building tomorrow’s government go to learn, connect, and recharge; it's also become a great community (I got to see some of them on recent trips to DC, San Francisco, and London!) Anyway, new drop. #ai #machinelearning #publicservice #FWD50 #digitalgovernment

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Pumped to be in Toronto today for Shopify editions.dev with Barrel CTO Wes. If you're here - come say hi 👋🏼 If you haven’t had a chance to check out the 150+ product updates in Shopify’s bi-annual release, Summer Edition '24, check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gETbX_2P It’s hard to believe we’ve been helping brands launch on Shopify since 2009. A lot has changed in the last 15 years. It's no longer enough for brands to invest in their website alone—they need to meet their customers where they are to succeed. As an agency, Barrel has evolved from focusing solely on a client’s website to examining the entire customer journey, seeking opportunities to enhance how customers shop and experience the brand across touchpoints. Many of our clients are CPG brands, making this approach even more relevant. These days we're working on building Shopify B2B E-Commerce storefronts, designing Amazon content, creating personalized email/SMS flows, and implementing Shopify POS. Shopify has continually evolved with merchants' changing needs and customers' buying patterns. They’re not afraid to embrace partnerships like Amazon Buy with Prime while investing the same energy in POS and B2B that got their core e-commerce offering to where it is today. The Summer ’24 Edition is aptly titled ‘Unified’ and, as usual, it’s a lot to digest. The addition of a “Top 10” summary this year is a great starting point. Among my favorite updates are unified & tailored Markets experiences across B2B and retail, store credit availability, split shipping in checkout, and seamless store pickup between POS and DTC. I'm eager to dive into the Summer Edition '24 with our team over the next few days and uncover new opportunities to enhance our clients' commerce experiences. + Subscribe to my newsletter for a weekly look at what I'm building and learning in agency leadership, life, and e-commerce: https://lnkd.in/eJU8Zpt

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I attended an #Indigenous #entrepreneur and economic development gathering recently and asked several founders: How much support or business do you receive from your own community? Almost everyone said none, with one person saying very little. We talked about how easy it is for non-Indigenous businesses to show up at Chiefs’ and organizations’ conferences, walk away with contracts then and there. Meanwhile, our own people are overlooked, often due to lateral violence and folks in power not wanting others to do well or better than them from a financial standpoint. In my own case, after five years, I’ve never sold a single item to my community. With my revenue share model, they could net over $400,000 annually just by shifting their spend to my company. Instead, they actively choose to pay higher prices elsewhere. Every person I spoke with at the event shared similar experiences. There’s also the common excuse: “Our spend is so small it won’t make a difference.” But these small decisions add up, and they matter. Indigenous business owners already face countless challenges, and lack of support from our own communities only adds to the weight. It’s a tough reality, but it also speaks to the resilience and determination of Indigenous entrepreneurs. These are conversations we need to keep having—because the path forward starts with awareness and understanding.

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Building a business takes more than vision — it thrives with the support of a like-minded community. That’s why we are launching the Zole Business Network, a space designed to empower Canadian entrepreneurs with the resources, connections, and tools they need to succeed. Our goal is to create a dynamic network where business owners can access valuable resources, discover funding opportunities, and connect with peers who understand the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. Beyond just networking, we’re building a supportive community that fosters growth through knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Some of the things we believe this network will offer include: Conversations about access to Capital: We’ll keep members informed about the latest grants and financial resources to help drive growth. Collaboration & Connection: A platform for brainstorming, discussing industry trends, and forming strategic partnerships. Expert Insights: Access to guidance on financial planning, marketing, operations, and more. Favorable Transactions: Members also benefit from above-basal exchange rates and zero transaction fees for payroll and all. Zole’s vision is to provide a space where Canadian business owners feel supported and inspired. Join the Zole Business Network today and become part of a growing community dedicated to success. Don't build alone; sign up now for early access! https://shorturl.at/3YHhM

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Train puns incoming!! Full steam ahead on the 5 star train arriving at Vendasta 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 soon: • 𝘊𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵 your client's online visibility by syncing listing data to Apple. • Keep a good 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥 online with Review Widget Pro • 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵 email outreach with ease by previewing campaigns before sending • Don't get 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 with bad leads, CRM's customizable lead scoring can help you determine which leads to act on first I can never resist some good train puns. Hope they didn't 𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 your 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵.

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✨Unlock Your Organization's Full Potential with Indigo Innovation Group ✨ 👉🏾Indigo Innovation Group -Your Partner in Strategic Thought & Strategy Development , System-Level Approaches, Change Management, Equity, and Strategic Collaboration. 👉🏾Are you ready to elevate your organization to new heights? Visit our redesigned website to explore how Indigo Innovation Group can partner with you to drive impactful change and achieve your goals. 🔗https://lnkd.in/g5533cnc 💡At Indigo Innovation Group, we specialize in a diverse range of consulting services tailored to meet the unique needs of philanthropic, nonprofit, and private/public organizations with the following consulting services: * Strategic Thought Partnership * Leadership Development * Change Management * Coaching * Facilitation * Strategy * Systems Change * Custom Content * Custom Workshops Why consultants matter and why they benefit you: ✨Expert Insight: Consultants bring specialized knowledge and experience that can offer new perspectives and innovative solutions. ✨Objective Analysis: An external consultant provides unbiased assessments and recommendations, ensuring decisions are based on objective data. ✨Enhanced Efficiency: By leveraging a consultant's expertise, organizations can streamline processes, improve productivity, and focus on their core missions. 💫Join us on a journey of transformation and growth. Learn more about our comprehensive consulting services and how we can help your organization thrive. Visit our new website now and let’s start accelerating change together. #consultant #consultingservices #indigoinnovationgroup #redesignedwebsite #website #womeninbusiness #strategicthoughtpartner

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📢 Are You Ready for Lasting Change? 📢 On October 24th, we’re hosting a transformative Half Day- 5 Spheres Framework Event in Edmonton. This isn’t just another business seminar; it’s a comprehensive session designed to help you take control of your business and personal life. Jeff Walters and other three guest speakers will lead you through the 5 Spheres Framework, covering Money, Business, Home, Health, and Spiritual well-being. Whether you’re struggling with cash flow, work-life balance, or stress, this event will provide you with the tools and strategies you need to overcome these challenges and thrive. 🌟 Why Attend? - Financial Health: Learn strategies to manage and grow your money. - Business Mastery: Discover methods to double your leads and improve efficiency. - Home Balance: Create a supportive and harmonious home environment. - Health and Wellness: Gain insights into maintaining your physical and mental health. - Spiritual Alignment: Understand how to align your business goals with your inner values. Seats are limited and filling up fast! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to transform your life and business. 👉 Register NOW to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/gUsa9nzM #BusinessSummit #Leadership #JeffWalters #BusinessSuccess #Health #WorkLifeBalance

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The verdict is in! If I waited on official data to make decisions I would have been cooked a long time ago. Many times relying on what your own two eyes can see and what your own intuition is telling you is more than sufficient when it comes to piecing reality together. You just have to be plugged into what's truly going on around you. Look up! ------------ "Fresh home sales data has finally answered the question for real estate watchers: The Bank of Canada’s initial interest rate cut in June did not open the floodgates to buyers, many of whom remain sidelined through an unseasonably slow spring housing market. Sales figures from local real estate boards released in the past week show last month’s home sales did not see much of an uptick after the Bank of Canada’s quarter-point cut on June 6, the first decrease in four years and a substantial shift in monetary policy after the central bank’s fastest tightening cycle on record." https://lnkd.in/gvxy2_GK

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I recently asked Tiffany Linke-Boyko from Flying Fish Ventures for her insights on how Edmonton-region founders can better connect with venture capital (VC) firms. Here's what she had to say: "Founders often lack a base-level understanding of VC and the fundraising process, which adds challenges to an already tough journey. Building relationships early and knowing how to navigate the VC landscape is crucial." Here are Tiffany’s tips for connecting with VCs: 1️⃣ Events: If investors are present, introduce yourself! Building relationships early can speed up future fundraising efforts. Practice your pitch and determine if you're a good fit for their investment thesis. 2️⃣ Cold Outreach: Email or LinkedIn can work for some firms, but check their policies—some prefer warm intros only. 3️⃣ Warm Intros: Leverage your network—other founders, community members, or service providers can make key introductions. 4️⃣ Website Forms: Some VCs offer forms for submitting your pitch—use them if available. 5️⃣ Conferences: Be strategic—attend if you have a clear purpose, like connecting with investors. 🎯 Pro Tip: Always research VCs to ensure they align with your company’s stage and their investment thesis. This is great advice for founders looking to navigate the VC landscape in Edmonton. What’s your go-to strategy for connecting with investors? Let’s share and learn! #EdmontonInnovation #VCFundraising #StartupTips #Entrepreneurship

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TOMORROW WORKSHOP: How to Negotiate Like A Pro - October 23rd, 2024! Details below 👇 Join our CEO Jill Button during BDC Small Business Week for a workshop on negotiation strategies that will help you save time and money while growing your business. Learn how to build a strong negotiation strategy, create leverage, and secure fair supplier contracts to enhance your bottom line. Key Topics Include: - Building a winning negotiation strategy for small businesses. - Techniques to create leverage and maximize your position. - How to link and trade for better deals with suppliers. - Practical tips for negotiating fair, balanced contracts that support growth. This workshop will run October 23, 2024 (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM) (EDT), for more details and to register visit: https://zurl.co/z6CU If you're a SMB leader and want to negotiate like a pro, don't miss this workshop! #genxfempreneur #businessstartup #business #businessstartups #businessgrowth #businessstrategy #startup #procurehub #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #procurepro #consulting #competitivebids #procurementservices #durhamregion #gta #procurement

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