Jason Tham

Brilliant article on TheoryMesh that explains in few words both the company and why #foodtraceability is important, and should be simple. To learn more about what TheoryMesh can do for you, whether a farm, food manufacturer or retailer, don't hesitate to reach out. #foodtech #sustainability #meaningfulbusiness #fieldtofork Thanks North Forge Chris Bunio Stephanie Westdal

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Such a great blog post which I suggest every founder read. So many golden nuggets in here. But one that stands out: What are some qualities that you see in the most successful founders? Well, I love smart people, with high IQs, and high EQs, that’s great. But, of the founders that I see, the highest correlation with success is with their grit quotient. They’re not necessarily the smartest people in the world, but their grit and determination are unbelievable. They never give up and always find a way to blast through any obstacle they face. It’s the mentality of “succeed or die” – it’s that kind of determination that wins. #gritcotient #grit #founder #highperformancemindset

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"Canada has no shortage of ingenuity and technological innovations that can help us flatten the food cost inflation curve, but implement and scaling them remains a challenge." Check out the latest article by Dana McCauley on How technology can mitigate Canada’s food inflation crisis:

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I am pleased to share that ICTC-CTIC’s report (led by Heather McGeer), End to End: The Need for Green and Digital Skills in Canada’s Supply Chain Industry, is now available here: https://lnkd.in/gbicVfQA   It was my privilege to assist a little as a member of the green supply chain advisory committee. The report explores how, to improve efficiencies and environmental sustainability, the Canadian supply chains required to become more digitized, leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, IOT and advanced robotics. Supply chain professionals need to acquire new digital and environmental skills with the right workforce development programs and incentives. With these the supply chain industry can help Canada meet its environmental sustainability targets and goals. 

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Emmanuel Grenier of #carrefour taking a different view on a phased rollout at #techforretail: phase 1 is about developing and testing and take time to do it properly; phase 2 is then about creating value. Value creation cannot happen without a dev / test mindset. #composablecommerce #grocerycommerce

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INDOCHINO Sets Their Sights on Data Driven Brand Development as Pathway to Accelerating Growth. The addition of Ryane Askew as Vice President of Marketing is an exciting investment in this next phase of profitable growth. VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 11, 2024 /CNW/ - INDOCHINO, the global leader in made to measure apparel, is excited to announce its strategic focus on brand development as a key driver for growth in 2025. The company is committed to expanding its presence in the retail industry by enhancing its brand story and customer journey. In line with this ambition, INDOCHINO has appointed Ryane Askew as the new Vice President of Marketing, a move that signals the company's commitment to deepening its connection with consumers and accelerating its growth trajectory. "INDOCHINO has experienced remarkable growth over recent years, and we are now entering a new chapter where brand development will be central to our continued success," said Drew Green, Chief Executive Officer, and President of INDOCHINO. "Ryane Askew brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach to marketing, making her the perfect fit to lead our efforts in shaping the future of the INDOCHINO brand. We are confident that her leadership and deep understanding of analytics and data will help us forge deeper connections with our customers and bring our vision to life in a bold and compelling way." Ryane is a seasoned and dynamic growth leader with over 15 years of experience delivering impactful growth for globally recognized brands. Ryane's most notable results during her time at Pier 1 Imports, Blue Nile, and Nordstrom were driven by her unwavering customer focused leadership style. Throughout her career, Ryane has built and scaled high-performing teams across a variety of functions, including marketing, e-commerce, analytics, and technology. "I am thrilled to join INDOCHINO at such an exciting time in the company's journey," said Ryane Askew. "The INDOCHINO brand has always stood for quality, craftsmanship, and personalization, and I look forward to leading the team in building a stronger connection with our customers. Together, we will elevate the brand experience and create new opportunities for growth as we approach 2025 and beyond." As INDOCHINO looks toward the future, the company's focus on brand development is expected to encompass a variety of initiatives, including refining its digital presence, expanding marketing efforts across channels, and enhancing the overall customer journey. With the appointment of Ryane Askew, INDOCHINO is confident that these initiatives will not only strengthen its position in the market but also solidify its reputation as a leader in custom apparel. Matthew Berglass Ryane Askew Vanessa Pillay (CA)SA, CPA BC Alex Buhler Sean Wrenn Morgan Whitney

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Front-of-Package Labelling Requirements - are you ready ? I was recently speaking with an industry leader whose strategic approach is definitely to be admired in that he is thinking about how to best manage some of the major changes that will impact the Canadian Consumer Packaged Goods industry in the very near future. As the old saying goes "Where there is change; there is Opportunity". Those who embrace change in this manner, win with consumers and customers. Specifically, Health Canada has is introducing new mandatory Front-of-Package Labelling requirements for pre-packaged foods sold in Canada that are high in nutrients of public health concern, those being – sodium, sugars and saturated fat. Firms who proactively approach these new guidelines as an opportunity and identify synergies with initiatives such as Extended Producer Responsibility as well as strengthening of their on-pack Brand communication, will serve as leaders within the Canadian CPG marketplace. Those who fail to plan for the resourcing and complexity of implementing the requirements by the deadline of January 1, 2026 may feel a bit like they're facing the looming headlight of an oncoming train coming down the tracks. New Year 2026 may seem like a long ways away, but I'd bet many don't feel that it's a long runway. So, if you are seeking support in planning for, and executing a transition to new labelling requirements, i34g Consulting can help. Experience in managing a complex transition is critically important and can serve to free up the bandwidth, fuel organizational efficiencies and ensure the engagement of your core team, enabling them to stay focused in driving the business forward. Please don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected] if you'd like to discuss this opportunity. Cheers, Kevin 

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Some more thoughts on why we think SecondShop.com is one of the more ambitious investments we've made.

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Read the latest article on the topic - Transforming Retail The Rise of Hyperlocal Delivery in Canada.

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Should Canada offer financial incentives to foreign grocers to increase competition? According to this article in The Wall Street Journal, that's likely what would be needed for foreign entities to even consider setting up shop in Canada. "We have a very big landmass, with the population set in four or five centers predominantly... Moving extremely low-margin products across the country can sink you if you don’t know what you’re doing.” Fortunately for Canada's grocery oligopoly, a spokeswoman for Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne has said no financial packages are on offer... Yet? #retail #grocery #competition P.S. You can read the full article using my subscriber gift link by clicking below.

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Happy New Year to our LinkedIn Community! If you are like the many thousands going to #CES2025, then allow me to recommend visiting some great Canadian tech companies and meet their thoughtful / inspirational leaders and founders. They are all leading developers and adopters of #AI, which should be no surprise...they are Canadian after all and we are world leaders in #artificialintelligence. Here are the companies and their locations: LeddarTech- Automotive Software: Low-Level Sensor Fusion & Perception - Booth #6752 LVCC Geotab - Booth #6766 LVCC Blumind - Booth #60849 in the Venetian At the Ontario Pavilion, Booth #50423 in the Venetian you will find: VueReal Inc. iNAGO Pontosense (as well as at their standalone Booth #60858) VCycene Inc. Applied Brain Research Another great company to learn about is Waabi. There are lots more to be sure...so please forgive me if I left you out. Add your name and company in the comments and I will be sure to amplify. So best of success for all those looking to stamp their CES passports with great Canadian tech content (I see you Helen Kontozopoulos, great idea!). Let's Go! Maram Fityani Sherry Calkins Frantz Saintellemy, C.M. Daniel C. Aitken 🌿 Reza Chaji Niraj Mathur Ron DiCarlantonio Alex S. Qi Raquel Urtasun George Yin Kevin Conley Trade Commissioner Service | Service des délégués commerciaux Invest Ontario Chelsea Peet Kurt de Vries #venturecapital #investment #privateequity #autonomousvehicles #agetech #semiconductors #microled #digitaltransformation #sensors #digitalmanufacturing #robotics #data #ResponsibleAI #trust #safety #smartmobility #futuremobility #smartcity #startups #scaleups

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Organizational change management is such an important part of rolling out big initiatives. The last few years have been transformational at Calgary Co-op.

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Great opinion piece. "...it is increasingly clear that you can’t have a thriving innovation economy without industrial policy." (FYI - Industrial policy is government policy to encourage the development and growth of part of the economy in pursuit of some public goal.) For the future of Canada: AI, the environment, food security, housing, military, education, and healthcare all need industrial policy that is focused on the public goal of protecting the natural world. A larger discussion, but this public goal definitely includes the military, space exploration, education and healthcare.

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Master Quebec’s Unique Digital Marketplace When venturing into Quebec's digital marketplace, understanding the region's cultural and linguistic nuances is crucial for ecommerce success. Quebec presents a distinct online ecosystem and bilingual consumers offer lucrative opportunities. A highly customized ecommerce strategy that takes into account the local culture, language, and consumer behavior can make all the difference. Focus on multi-language support, use the right platforms like Magento or BigCommerce, and ensure that your content resonates with Quebecois values. Therefore, Quebec’s unique consumer landscape requires an approach that combines digital dexterity with cultural sensitivity.

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In my latest piece for Supply Professional magazine, I address some of the less obvious (or at least, rarely discussed) underlying conditions and challenges that need to be addressed, and which seem to now be impacting other sectors as well. #productivity #manufacturing #supplychain #systemthinking

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