In this episode of the LIBI Podcast, host Al Del Degan sits down with Bryce McDermid, a seasoned marketing expert, to delve into the intricate world of marketing and communication. Bryce shares his journey from studying psychology to leading a successful marketing agency in Calgary. The discussion covers key aspects of marketing strategies, the impact of artificial intelligence, and how understanding cultural nuances can enhance your marketing efforts globally.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. 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: Bryce McDermid is the founder of MKTGSpace and the YYC Business Events Weekly Newsletter. He is passionate about promoting quality communication in marketing and helping the local business community grow. Bryce has a background in psychology, which he used to build strong relationships between himself and his clients, and his clients and their customers. Bryce is currently focusing on providing communication strategy and performance marketing for the people he's working with.

Show Links:

• Mktgspace

Show Quotes:

"At its core, marketing is just two people communicating with each other, and there's an infinite number of ways to do that effectively" "If you can't express who you are and how you want to speak to people, AI tools won't be able to do anything for you; it's just going to sound like everybody else out there" "Building brand reputation is integral at every step of the way, thinking about the long game for your business is important all the time"

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

Shawn has built a thriving business while also dedicating a significant amount of his time to supporting organizations like Trellis Foundation, the A100, and Venture Mentoring Services. He shares his insights on the importance of having a strong "why" behind your involvement and the value of delegating effectively to balance success and volunteering. This inspiring episode delves into the delicate balance of running a thriving business while making time for meaningful volunteer work.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. 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: Shawn Freeman has founded and scaled many businesses to multi-million dollar corporations. He is a serial entrepreneur with decades of experience running IT management companies and can certainly speak to leading and growing large companies and being an innovative thinker.

Shawn launched his career in 2011 by founding TWT Group, a small managed service provider (MSP). He grew the business to seven figures within nine years and successfully exited in 2020 through a high-value acquisition. Currently, Shawn is the founder of Impactful MSP, where he helps ambitious MSP owners achieve sustainable, long-term growth.

Beyond his professional work, Shawn serves as a Board Member for the Trellis Foundation and The A100, and volunteers as a mentor with the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta. Additionally, Shawn has been deeply involved with Entrepreneurs’ Organization for over 10 years, currently serving as the Chapter President for Calgary.

Show Links:

• Impactful MSP
• Trellis Foundation
• The A100
• Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta (VMSA)
• Entrepreneurs’ Organization
• Book - Traction: Gino Wyckman
• Book - Buy Back Your Time: Dan Martell
• OMO Teppan & Kitchen

Show Quotes:

"If you get a client that is not enjoyable to work with It's the old 80-20 rule. They take up 80% of your time. You make 20% of your profits off of them."

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

Chase Miller, a web design entrepreneur, discovered a passion for grant funding while helping a client navigate the process. Seeing the potential, he partnered with a friend who had successfully secured significant grants for his tech startup. Together, they founded Impact Applications, a company that helps businesses navigate the abundant grant funding opportunities in Canada and Alberta

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. 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: Chase Miller is a grant-funding expert, entrepreneur, and lifelong athlete dedicated to helping businesses secure the resources they need to grow. Seeing the lack of support for grant writing in Canada, he founded a mission-driven venture to simplify the process for companies navigating complex applications.

A former university hockey player, Chase still hits the ice regularly and stays active through basketball, golf, and training. His competitive edge, leadership, and teamwork—values ingrained from years in the sport fuel both his business and personal pursuits. A passionate traveler, he’s always seeking new challenges and experiences.

Show Links:

• Impact Applications
• IRAP
• Alberta Innovates
• Technology Alberta

Show Quotes:

"they want to see that you have a little bit of skin in the game. So if you just have this idea and you put no dollars towards it, they won't be super sold on supporting you because they're also risk averse at the same time"

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