In this insightful episode of "Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas" (LIBI), host Rea Hailley engages with Ron Szekely, a seasoned business coach specializing in helping founder-led companies scale effectively. Ron shares his extensive experience transitioning from corporate juggernauts like L'Oreal to coaching smaller enterprises. The conversation highlights the critical transformation needed in leadership and structure for scaling businesses, the challenges of maintaining accountability, and the exciting yet daunting integration of AI in business practices. Ron offers practical strategies to avoid the pitfalls of stagnation and propel businesses towards sustainable growth and innovation.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast where we showcase fascinating people who are Leaders, Innovators, and have Big Ideas! Host: Rea Hailley Driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of entrepreneurship, Rea leads New Idea Machine in empowering businesses with innovative digital solutions. Having witnessed the grit and triumph of her parents building a business from scratch, Rea is passionate about enabling significant revenue growth and seamless operations for startups and Small/Medium Businesses, ensuring their dedication translates into tangible success.

Guest: Ron Szekely lives and works at the intersection of creativity and commerce, helping leaders build compelling businesses, brands, and teams with the potential to change the world.

He has always viewed the business world as a delicate dance between art and science. Growing up as a magician performing at children's parties, Ron discovered early on the power of suspending disbelief, imagining potential outcomes, and reading a room. This early fascination centered on unrealized futures, endless possibilities within designed constraints, and parameters of control. Ron studied both marketing and design at university, with ambitions of working in advertising—an environment where controlled creativity serves the needs of business.

Ron’s career in marketing spans 25+ years, including executive roles with global enterprises such as L’Oréal, Sanofi, and Keurig, where he led large teams and managed multi-million-dollar budgets. While he thrived within the structured environment of large corporations, he has also been drawn to the passion and drive found in entrepreneurial ventures. Transitioning to founder-led companies, Ron served as Head of Marketing and Innovation for several of Canada’s fastest-growing consumer goods brands, skillfully blending profitable growth with purpose-driven brand experience.

Ron has experienced the full spectrum of the business world, from large corporate structures to scaling start-ups to founding his own marketing agency. Throughout his journey, he has developed a deep appreciation for the spirit of possibility that fuels growth. His passion for entrepreneurship led him to create BOS360, a proprietary and progressive business coaching methodology and practice. BOS360 fuses the art and science of business across strategy, brand, and team—unlocking growth and cultivating happy, healthy, high-performing companies.

Ron is not a traditional business coach. He immerses himself empathetically in his client’s business to uncover their unique value, asking the uncomfortable questions and leveraging inversion and varied mental models to turn obstacles into opportunities, finding the simple path to greatness. For Ron, true growth is where intelligence becomes creative.

At his core, Ron Szekely is a business idealist, believing that perception is reality. Grounded in truth, he uses optimism to help light the path forward for inspiring entrepreneurs. Ron firmly believes that optimism is a success builder and a strategy that can be operationalized to create scalable businesses and a better future.

Show Links:

• BOS360

Show Quotes:

"A doom loop happens when you really get caught in the short term... It's making sure that they step back a little bit and recognize that they're in a doom loop." "It's the only tool that will tell you how to best utilize it ... Have you asked it? ... It will go in detail about the industry overall, about their specific company." "Becoming better and better at what they do, the more they do it ... creates a momentum where the bigger they get, the easier it gets."

Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas Podcast hosted by Al Del Degan, the spotlight is on Shaharyar Ahmad, a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for reimagining networking events. Shaharyar shares his intriguing journey from a backpacking global explorer to becoming an innovative event organizer in Calgary. He discusses his pursuit of integrating fun, philosophical discussions, and creative interactions into networking, aiming to create environments that cater to both extroverts and introverts. With a focus on unique venues, curated guest lists, and creative social dynamics, Shaharyar is on a mission to transform the way professionals connect and share ideas.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast where we showcase fascinating people who are Leaders, Innovators, and have Big Ideas! Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Shaharyar Ahmad is a dynamic community builder known for orchestrating memorable afterparties and fostering vibrant ecosystems through strategic introductions, targeted relationship building, and the cultivation of niche communities. His approach centers on connecting the right people at the right time, enabling innovation and collaboration across diverse circles.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Shaharyar is an avid squash player, an enthusiastic reader of dystopian science fiction, and a passionate backpacker. He is also dedicated to supporting his friends as they launch new business ventures, always eager to lend his expertise and encouragement. Shaharyar’s blend of social acumen and adventurous spirit makes him a valued connector and a driving force in every community he touches.

Show Links:

• Afters
• Jam Social
• AIG insurance
• Shareworks

Show Quotes:

"When I was DJing and hanging out in the music industry, it was socializing, but so much more fun. What if we apply that same social dynamic to Calgary's corporate world?" "Calgary is a city for dreamers, you can build here. There's so much room to play, and people are encouraging." "I'm deeply intrigued by people's 'why'. Introducing philosophical twists at events gives people a shared purpose and helps delve into their deeper selves."

Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this compelling episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas (LIBI) podcast, host Al Del Degan sits down with Geoffrey Pradella, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kids Brain Health Network and incoming chair of the Genome Alberta board. Geoffrey shares his unconventional journey, traversing fields from international relations and law to medicine and ethics. With an inspiring career shaped by bold leaps of faith, Geoffrey discusses his drive to make a difference for neurodevelopmental challenges and the pivotal role of mentorship in steering his path. Listeners are invited to explore the profound connections between innovation, personal motivation, and societal impact through Geoffrey's narrative of resilience and purpose.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast where we showcase fascinating people who are Leaders, Innovators, and have Big Ideas! Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Geoffrey Pradella is an accomplished professional with a track record of success in negotiation and the facilitation of regional, national, and international agreements and initiatives. His work is primarily focused on health system transformation, medical research and innovation, and medical law and ethics. With qualifications to work in multiple jurisdictions, Mr. Pradella is driven by a passion for improving the lives of patients and society's most vulnerable.

Demonstrating a consistent ability to lead and facilitate complex, multi-stakeholder strategies, Mr. Pradella excels at developing new and visionary strategic directions. He has a proven history of building expanded and improved capacity through evidence-based evaluations and the implementation of innovative solutions. He is dedicated to making a positive and lasting difference to people and their health systems, focusing on the key factors that drive healthcare success.

Show Links:

• Kids Brain Health Network
• Genome Alberta

Show Quotes:

"None of where I wound up was part of a plan. It was the courage of taking some leaps of faith on the advice of tremendous people." "The magic happens on the other side of fear. It's all about taking those challenges." "Getting up every day to make life better for kids with some pretty profound challenges right from the start of life."

Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan