Liza Paul, Bachelor of Engr (BE), PMP

A big step in our innovation journey. This progress wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our exceptional CTC team and our vendor partners. The collaboration, passion, commitment, and innovative thinking of this team are the driving forces behind this milestone.   Thanks to our teams’ efforts we are increasingly embracing the challenge of integrating AI into our solutions. Through building AI solutions and accelerators, we are not only transforming the solutions we build but also our internal processes to deliver customer value faster and more effectively. Together, we are creating a future where technology and human creativity combine to drive growth and excellence. Here's to continued innovation and achieving new heights!   A huge thank you to Cynthia Wong, Shawn Coombs, Michael Gerylo and Ricardo Baltazar. #InnovationCulture #AI #Teamwork #Excellence #FutureReady #Digital #Agile

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Where are you looking for tech jobs in Canada? 🇨🇦 I spend several hours a week giving back and advising great leaders on how to: 1) Define what they're looking for, 📌 2) Position themselves digitally to target these goals, ✨ 3) Map the market of opportunities available in the country's tech network. 🗺️ My goal? To keep great talent in our country and in our companies, of course. It dawned on me today that sharing my tips in one-off calls isn't the most efficient way to scale my impact. So, if you're actively, quietly, or curiously looking for new opportunities in Canadian tech, here are my top recommendations on where to look. 1) Workintech.ca (formerly Prospect) is still the largest startup job board in the country by far. Y'all -- I built this thing and it's STILL GROWING! I proudly handed this product over to Chris Albinson and the team at Communitech in 2021 and it continues to get better every day. Today, it lists over 5,900 jobs at 1,500+ tech companies. https://workintech.ca/ HOT TIP: Don't just search for jobs. Toggle to the "Explore Companies" tab to filter and sort through different industries, company sizes, and business models. Pursue companies that fit your goals, even if they haven't listed a job that matches your criteria. You never know what they haven't listed or what's on the horizon. 2) The Narwhal Project -- I often get asked "who is the next Shopify." Charles Plant developed this list to focus attention on the private Canadian tech companies best poised to become world-class firms. For anyone looking for companies that have surpassed $50M ARR and are post-PMF, this is the best place to start. https://lnkd.in/g_mqhjmC 3) TechTO's Rocketships List -- This one is a bit outdated (2022) but hopefully this post is a nudge to Alex Norman and Jason Goldlist that we need an updated version! It is an excellent summary of top-tier startups across the growth spectrum. https://lnkd.in/g4hfHfyk. 4) MaRS Discovery District -- North America’s largest urban innovation hub is right here in Toronto and they've got their own job board. Plus, Alison Nankivell is at the helm now so great things are on the horizon! https://lnkd.in/gSUAtcXU 5) Accelerators -- Don't snooze on digging into these communities' cohorts, including Creative Destruction Lab, FounderFuel, NEXT Canada, DMZ, and Volta. You can also search for "Canadian participants of" global programs like Y Combinator or Techstars. NOTE: All of these companies are early-stage unless you go back in time and run a "where are they now" analysis on past cohorts. 6) VCs -- While most venture-backed startups will already be listed on Workintech.ca, don't snooze on checking out the portfolio job boards on VC websites, including Golden Ventures, OMERS Ventures, Klass Capital, Inovia Capital, Portage , Panache Ventures. This list goes on! If this post helps just one person find their next role, I'll consider it a success. ❤️

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Greetings my LinkedIn network: We now have over 130 hours of Tech Leadership & Emerging Tech conversations on our ‘TechTonic Conversations’ YouTube channel. Conversations with top Canadian and Global technology leaders and executives, Deloitte's National and Global leaders, and founders/CEOs of tech companies to watch for! MUCH more to come... If you are interested in Tech Leadership topics, please #subscribe to the channel (below) so that you get notified whenever we post a new session: #CIO #CTO #CDO #TechExec #techleadership #emergingtech #tecttonicconversations #deloitte #impactthatmatters #CxO #leadership #coaching #professionaldevelopment

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Scrum isn't about problem-free zones—it's about being acutely aware of challenges and actively tackling them head-on. Embrace a culture of continuous improvement and problem-solving to drive your team towards success! 🌐 https://hzmconsulting.ca/ 📞 514 651 2822 📧 [email protected] #HZMConsulting #scaledagile #scrummaster #safePOPM #Productowner #scrumagile #agiletraining #safeagile #scaledagiletraining #leadiingsafe

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Great day for learning & sharing at the Toronto CIO/CISO Summit. My topic - “Bridging The Divide Between Business And Technology In Today's Digital landscape.” Wonderful that this discussion included “empowering our teams with capabilities & tools so that they can do their jobs well” ultimately to provide #value and #greatproducts for all of our customers. #collaboration #problemsolving #innovation

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🌟 Calian: Proud Microsoft Fabric Jumpstart Partner 🌟 At Calian, we’re excited to announce that as a Microsoft Fabric Jumpstart Partner, we’ve fully embraced the power of Microsoft Fabric to transform our data strategy. By widely adopting Fabric across our own organization, we’re now leveraging real-time data insights to make smarter, faster decisions that drive success. 🎥 Watch the video below to see how Calian is utilizing Microsoft Fabric to reshape our approach to data and analytics, helping us unlock powerful insights and achieve operational excellence. Why Microsoft Fabric with Calian? Unify your data estate with a single, scalable platform that integrates seamlessly across cloud and on-prem environments. Harness AI-driven analytics to gain actionable insights that elevate your business. Accelerate digital transformation with real-time data insights that empower every facet of your organization. We’re ready to share our learnings and help you unlock the full potential of Microsoft Fabric for your data estate. 📧 Contact us at: [email protected] Let’s discuss how we can empower your business! 🚀 #MicrosoftFabric #DataDriven #AI #Calian #Innovation #DigitalTransformation

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🚨 Guardians of Data: Unleashing the Power of Microsoft Fabric & Microsoft Purview 🚨   A word of appreciation to our clients, Microsoft, Slalom local team that support us on our Innovation hub event!   We had amazing discussions at #Microsoft #Toronto office yesterday with clients and friends at our Guardians of Data session, where Slalom and Microsoft shared a deep dive into how these cutting-edge platforms work together seamlessly to deliver real business impact. 🚀   At the intersection of data management and innovation, #MicrosoftFabric and the brand-new #MicrosoftPurview are revolutionizing the way organizations protect, classify, and collaborate on their most valuable asset—data.    All of us are Security teams and Guardians of the Data, and we should be responsible about that. Let’s protect and empower your data like never before! 👊   #MicrosoftFabric #MicrosoftPurview #DataGovernance #DataSecurity #GuardiansOfData #MicrosoftSecurity #DataPlatform #Loveyourfuture #SlalomProud

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🎥 Embrace the future with Slalom Canada's General Manager, Steve Walintschek, & AWS Canada's Managing Director, Eric Gales, as they explore the exciting realm of GenAI & opportunities for Canadian businesses. Discover how GenAI is reshaping industries across Canada, unlocking invaluable customer insights, & revolutionizing workflows. Watch how we can solve tomorrow’s challenges with AI. Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/guB8iDGz #Slalom #AWS #SlalomCanada #GenAI #AWSpartner

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**On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honor the survivors of residential schools, their families, and the generations affected by this painful history.**🙏🏻🕯️ It’s a day to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the enduring legacy of these institutions, and the resilience of Indigenous communities in Canada. Reconciliation is not just a word—it’s an active commitment. Today, let’s take time to listen, learn, and understand how we can support and uplift Indigenous voices. Small actions, like educating ourselves and engaging in conversations, can help us move toward healing and justice. On this National Day for truth and Reconcilliation let’s reflect and learn. “Wishing you a thoughtful National Day for truth and Reconcilliation” 🙏🏻🙏🏻 #TruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters #IndigenousVoices #NationalDayforTruthandReconciliation

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In 2023, the Government of Canada announced its intent to update their Cloud Adoption Strategy to modernize its hosting. Our latest report explores how the government can prepare for Canada's rapidly changing digital landscape and harness the true value of hyperscale cloud.

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Which technologies are Canadian organizations planning to invest in over the next year to support their ambitions? What are the top challenges most likely to slow down transformation efforts? Discover these and many more tech adoption insights in our Canadian perspective on KPMG's 2024 Global Tech survey. Read the article today!

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Government of Canada keeps hyping its commitment to innovation and digital transformation #buzzwords. Yet, the experience of using many government services & tools remains disappointingly out of step with the world around us. This isn't about a lack of talent or ambition; it's a systemic failure built into how we approach the digital realm. The problem is, there is a big disconnect between the government's financial structures and the reality of modern digital service delivery. Digital teams and finance teams often exist in separate worlds, hindering their ability to understand each other's constraints and priorities. This disconnect makes it difficult to secure and manage funding effectively for building and maintaining quality products. Think of it like trying to build a house while only getting supplies for one room at a time. There's a focus on one-off projects, not the ongoing care and improvement that good digital services need. Because of all this, we get: 🤷🏻‍♀️Constant hiring of outside consultants instead of building in-house expertise. 🤷🏻‍♀️Minimum viable products (basic versions) launched but never made better. 🤷🏻‍♀️Frustrated and demotivated public servants who are less willing to innovate. The truth (from my perspective) is that the government sees digital as an expense instead of an investment. Like everything, there are solution to every problem. After talking to several public servants including senior management folks and also reading up various posts & articles, here’s what I’ve gathered (feel free to add in the comments below if I missed anything). 👉🏻 We need to stop having ‘digital projects’ funding as a separate, scrutinized line item. Instead, make sure every project has what it needs to be successful digitally, long-term. 👉🏻 When the government buys tech, it shouldn't just be about the cheapest price today, but about getting the best service over multiple years and the ability to adapt to new technologies like Artificial Intelligence. 👉🏻 Give public servants the resources and power to be digital champions rather than taking away work from them because of the weird notion that consultants are somehow better than employees. If you feel that way then you’re not investing in their training & learning. This will reduce the reliance on temporary consultants and save big bucks! This won't be an easy change, but it's a necessary one. A digitally up-to-date government means better services for Canadians. I’m hoping that some of these key topics are going to be discussed at the DPI Professional Development Week (PDW) 2024 happening from May 7-9. If you’re attending in person, feel free to give me a shoutout🙏 always looking forward to meeting my network in person. #GovTech #DigitalGovernment #DigitalTransformation #PublicSectorInnovation #eGovernment #GovernmentofCanada

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65% of tech leaders acknowledge a skills gap on their team. See what others are doing to attract skilled talent in our new #RobertHalf report. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dXHZWEjy #TechTeams

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Fascinating insights from Hasan J. on how adopting rapidly evolving technologies like #GenAI are transforming the way we do business, as well as the pivotal roles enterprise architecture and engineering excellence play in our digital transformation to a world-leading techco. Listen to Hasan in conversation with mobileLIVE

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What an exciting discussion! It's inspiring to see how our Gen AI tool is not just simplifying tasks but transforming the way our associates work together. By accelerating tedious processes, we're freeing up valuable time for creative and strategic thinking, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Hats off to everyone involved in making this vision a reality. With AI-powered tools, we're not only boosting productivity but also empowering our team to build critical tech skills, driving Walmart's future of work. #Walmart #Productivity #Collaboration #FutureOfWork #GenAI

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The Canadian Black Standard is recruiting for our board. This organization, founded in 2020 continues to evolve and expand its' reach in support of Black women in marketing - both corporate and trail blazing entrepreneurs. I am not a marketer by trade but as Board Chair I have learned a great deal about this industry. Like many industries, we are very underrepresented. Of the approximate 100,000 marketing professionals in Canada (according to Statistics Canada), less than 3,000 are from the Black community. There is lots of work to do to change this dynamic. And representation is so important as this industry has incredible reach and influence. Most of us are very unaware of how many times a day we are marketed to - in commercials, in products, in the media, online - hundreds of influences, some very subliminal, come our way and we make decisions based on them. We form beliefs based on them. We make judgements and form opinions based on these messages and campaigns. We take actions, like where we spend our dollars based on what has been marketed to us. Pay attention to it for one 24-hour period and you might be shocked - as I was. In the work I do around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, I have a segment on marketing, and how it influences our society. Some of my examples showcase marketing gone very wrong, promoting racial stereotypes, and discriminatory practices right in front of your eyes. We are seeking dynamic women who want to change this field, to do their part to build this association and network for this community. I encourage you to take a look and consider joining us. We need you! #blackwomeninmarketing #marketing #canadianblackstandard

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This week marks a significant milestone in my professional career – 10 years with Canadian Tire. Reflecting on this decade, here are 10 key takeaways from my journey: Embrace Continuous Learning From my early days as a AIX Admin to my current role as Manager of Cloud Platforms, the learning never stops. The tech industry evolves rapidly, and staying ahead requires a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. Value Your Team One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been leading and nurturing talented teams. Achieving a low turnover rate is a testament to the importance of strategic talent retention initiatives. Investing in your team's growth and well-being pays dividends in loyalty and performance. Innovation Drives Success Helping lead the migration to a second iteration of CT's Azure platform and overseeing significant investments in our Azure footprint has reinforced the power of innovation. Embracing new technologies and methodologies not only drives efficiency but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Strategic Vision is Key Planning and executing long-term strategies, has taught me the value of strategic vision. Aligning technology initiatives with business goals is crucial for sustainable success. Collaboration is Powerful Cross-functional collaboration has been at the heart of many successful projects. Working with diverse teams and partners to develop and promote cloud solutions has shown me the strength in unity and the incredible outcomes we can achieve together. Lead with Empathy and Integrity Leadership is not just about directing work; it's about inspiring and uplifting your team. Leading with empathy and integrity creates a positive and productive work environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. Overcoming Disappointments Not getting a promotion can be tough, but it's also a learning opportunity. I learned to channel my disappointment into motivation, continuously improving my skills and performance. This resilience has been crucial in my growth. Embrace Introversion As an introvert, I've faced unique challenges in leadership roles. However, I've learned to leverage my strengths, such as active listening and thoughtful decision-making, to lead effectively. Embracing my introversion has allowed me to bring a unique perspective to my team. Resilience and Adaptability The journey hasn't always been smooth. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but resilience and adaptability have been my greatest allies. Staying flexible and open to change has allowed me to navigate through obstacles and emerge stronger. Gratitude and Reflection Taking time to reflect on my journey and express gratitude for the people and experiences that have helped shape my career has been incredibly fulfilling. Every step, every challenge, and every success has contributed to my growth. Thank you to all my colleagues, mentors, and my team who have been part of this journey.

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