Table Talk with ABFI

ABFI
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Table Talk with ABFI Host: Matt Knight, Executive Director of Alberta Business Family Institute Dive into the world of family businesses with "Table Talk with ABFI." Hosted by Matt Knight, this unscripted podcast spotlights Alberta's entrepreneurial families and we'll talk about many aspects including: -Origins & Evolution: Discover the foundation of family enterprises and their transformative journeys. -Personal Triumphs: Hear heartfelt stories of individual ambition and resilience. -Family Dynamics: Navigate the intricate interplay of relationships, transitions, and generational handovers. -Growth & Motivation: Uncover breakthrough moments and strategies propelling these businesses forward. Join the conversation and be inspired by tales of tenacity, innovation, and family legacy.

  1. 11 AOÛT

    Radical Love in Business: Sean Schoenberger’s Sunco Communications Journey from Cable Puller to President

    What began around a kitchen table in 2000 is now a national integrator keeping 16,000 Canadian businesses online, secure, and talking. In this Table Talk episode, host Matt Knight sits down with Sean Schoenberger, President (and former summer-student cable-runner) of Sunco Communications & Installations, to unpack a 25-year growth story powered by technology, family, and “radical love.” Sean traces Sunco’s evolution from pulling wire in local ceilings to delivering SD-WAN, SASE, cloud voice, and managed IT coast-to-coast. He credits two turning points: adopting the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in 2017 and embracing strategic acquisitions, moves that helped Sunco leap from a small crew to a 70-person, multi-city team. Sean also reflects on partnership dynamics with CEO (and cousin) Mike Schoenberger, and why clear boundaries protect both family chemistry and business momentum. Key insights include: Leadership – shifting from a “hard-D” DISC profile to collaborative, idea-driven management.Culture – embedding “radical love” so every employee feels like family, even across provinces.Technology – why VoIP’s rise rivals today’s AI wave, and how Sunco pilots new tools on itself before clients.For family-business leaders, Sean’s story offers a blueprint for balancing growth, governance, and kinship while remembering that telecom’s real job is to let customers forget it’s there. Listen in for practical takeaways on acquisitions, next-gen grooming, and setting “work stays at work” rules that stick. Time | Topic0:00 | Intro – The “sound you never see”: making business communications seamless.2:20 | Decoding telecom jargon – Sean explains SaaS, SD-WAN, SASE in plain English.5:45 | Sunco origin story – founded by uncle & cousin; Sean’s first cables at age 14.10:30 | From cabling to sales – deciding ceilings weren’t the long-term future.12:50 | The EOS “hockey-stick” – implementing Entrepreneurial Operating System (2017).18:00 | Leadership wake-up – shifting from “hard-D” directive style to idea-driven team.24:20 | Radical Love culture – open-door policy, Thursday “30 Minutes with Mike,” and volunteer days.28:45 | Tech shifts – pagers to smartphones, VoIP to AI; why experimentation starts in-house.34:10 | Acquisition strategy – Isosceles (2022) & Zayo PBX (2024) to enter new markets fast.39:30 | Work-family boundaries – strict 8–5 rule, unplugging at the lake, keeping weekends clean.44:15 | Grooming next-gen leaders – empowering employees, planning beyond current ownership.48:30 | Rapid-fire advice – set business hours, embrace collaboration, lead with heart. Learn more about ABFI at ww.abfi.ca, connect with Matt Knight at matt.knight@ualberta.ca or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknightLearn more about Sunco Communications at www.sunco.ca This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca

    50 min

  2. 21 JUILL.

    Legacy in Action: Geoff Badger’s Mission to Move Families from Intention to Implementation

    A startling fact shapes this episode: just one in four business families has a written legacy plan. Geoff Badger, wealth advisor, family enterprise researcher and leader of Badger Investment Group at Canaccord Genuity, joins host Matt Knight to unpack why so many families hesitate and what advisors can do to spark progress. Geoff traces his 31-year career from Bay Street to Edmonton, the ICU phone call that crystallized his purpose, and his pursuit of the FEA and a doctoral degree focused on “the moment of decision” in family legacy planning. He explains how teaming, a proactive structure, and evidence-based facilitation can safeguard wealth and family harmony. Listeners gain three big takeaways: Legacy clarity beats legacy sizeTechnical excellence must be matched by emotional governance, andCollaboration among advisors is the future of wealth management.For family-business leaders, this episode offers both a case for urgency and a roadmap toward action. Show Notes & Timestamps0:00 Intro1:22 Geoff’s advisory journey and the client call that changed everything5:26 Founding Badger Investment Group: solo practice to collaborative team8:47 The CFA: How deep technical chops build long-term client confidence11:34 FEA experience & the group project that flipped Geoff’s career path15:48 Inside his research, “Why do families say yes (or no) to facilitation?”18:50 Human, intellectual & financial capital23:54 Early research insights & the power of controlled conversations27:15 Positive case study: benefits of facilitated change management31:00 Advisor take-away34:30 Geoff on ABFI partnership and the role of community in raising legacy39:00 Future look: tech, transparency and the rise of the generalist advisor   Learn more about ABFI at https://abfi.ca/, connect with Matt Knight at matt.knight@ualberta.ca or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknight/ Learn more about Badger Investment Group at https://www.badgerinvestmentgroup.ca/ 2025 Signature Event tickets are now available https://abfi.ca/signature-events This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca

    54 min

  3. 26 JUIN

    Fair Terms: Collins Brothers’ Transition from Family Succession to Employee Ownership

    What does it take to execute not one, but two successful transitions in a family business? In this episode of Table Talk, Matt Knight speaks with Jason and Ryan Collins, brothers and second-generation leaders of Collins Steel. After joining the company and working alongside their father, Jason and Ryan led the business through its first major transition: succession from their parents, who started the business in the early 1980s. That transition was structured with terms that balanced the value of the company and the fairness of potential inheritances for their siblings not involved in the business. Jason and Ryan took over in 2012 with a clear exit strategy in mind, aiming to sell the business within 10 years. Over the next decade, they transformed Collins Steel from a successful fabrication shop into a $52 million industry leader in Western Canada, maintaining a focus on Lean manufacturing and supported by a loyal team, peer groups, and an external board of advisors. In 2017, they executed their second transition by selling to their management team. This move was again guided by the same core value of fairness that had defined their earlier succession. The brothers’ approach demonstrates that family business succession doesn’t require choosing between family harmony and business continuity when structured thoughtfully. This episode offers practical insights for family business leaders navigating the balance between family dynamics and strategic planning. Their story also highlights the importance of peer learning communities in helping leaders stay grounded and gain perspective. Learn more about ABFI at https://abfi.ca, connect with Matt Knight at matt.knight@ualberta.ca or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknight/  Learn more about the Alberta School of Business at https://www.ualberta.ca/business/ This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca

    1 h

  4. 2 JUIN

    Redefining Family Business: Dr. Vikas Mehrotra's Global Perspective on Succession and Strategy

    In this thought-provoking episode of ABFI Table Talk, host Matt Knight sits down with Dr. Vikas Mehrotra, Dean of the Alberta School of Business, to challenge fundamental assumptions about what truly defines a family business. Dr. Mehrotra brings insights from research spanning continents, revealing how traditional definitions based solely on ownership percentages may be fundamentally flawed. His work explores innovative succession practices from Japanese adult adoption – where every single Suzuki CEO has been adopted into the family – to arranged marriages in South Asia, demonstrating how families maintain control with minimal ownership stakes. The conversation centres on what Dr. Mehrotra calls the "lamp post fallacy" – how researchers have been looking for family business characteristics where data is easiest to find rather than where it's most meaningful. His five-part definition moves beyond ownership thresholds to emphasize succession intention, family embeddedness, and "familyness" as the true distinguishing factors. A striking revelation emerges from his Japanese research: adopted heirs consistently outperform blood relatives in business performance. Meanwhile, companies like Microsoft, despite Bill Gates' substantial ownership, were never truly family businesses due to absent succession planning, while firms like Casio maintain their family dynasty across generations despite diluted ownership. The discussion explores critical future challenges, including rising supply chain costs forcing family businesses toward vertical integration and the role of AI and data analytics in attracting next-generation family members. Dr. Mehrotra reveals why Alberta family businesses, particularly in agriculture and energy, are uniquely positioned to leverage these technological advances. For family business leaders, this episode offers essential insights on succession planning beyond bloodlines, understanding true competitive advantages, and preparing for an increasingly complex global business environment. Learn more about ABFI at https://abfi.ca, connect with Matt Knight at matt.knight@ualberta.ca or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknight/  Learn more about the Alberta School of Business at https://www.ualberta.ca/business/ This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca

    55 min

  5. 21 MAI

    Cleaning Up the Competition - Russell Hay on Tech, Succession & the Scandi Family

    In this dynamic episode of ABFI Table Talk, host Matt Knight sits down with Russell Hay, CEO of Scandinavian Building Services (SBS), who shares the remarkable journey of transforming a small Edmonton janitorial company into a national powerhouse that cleans over 160 million square feet daily with more than 8,000 cleaners. Founded in 1956 by two Scandinavian brothers, SBS was purchased by Russell's parents, Terry and Wilda Hay, in 1982. What began as a single truck operation has evolved into a coast-to-coast service business now expanding into the U.S. Russell recounts how his father, coming from property management, recognized the opportunity to revolutionize an industry plagued by inconsistency, poor quality control, and inefficient communication. The conversation reveals how strategic innovation has been a cornerstone of the company's success. Russell details SBS's pioneering technology initiatives, including their proprietary ScandiTrack quality assurance system and their position as Canada's largest user of cleaning robotics. This technology focus, balanced with strong family values, has allowed SBS to maintain exceptional service standards while scaling dramatically. A pivotal moment in the company's evolution came with the appointment of its first non-family President, Mamdag Do, a 25-year company veteran. Russell explains this strategic succession decision, emphasizing that "it's not about the Hay family, it's about the Scandi family," highlighting their commitment to empowering talent regardless of bloodline. The discussion also explores how the COVID-19 pandemic, while challenging, accelerated the company's growth plans and brought well-deserved recognition to their essential workers. Russell shares valuable insights on maintaining a family-oriented culture during rapid expansion, the critical importance of mentorship programs, and the intentional succession planning that keeps SBS at the forefront of the janitorial industry. For family business leaders, this episode offers a masterclass in balancing innovation with family legacy, strategic succession planning, and maintaining core values while pursuing aggressive growth. Learn more about ABFI at https://abfi.ca/, connect with Matt Knight at matt.knight@ualberta.ca or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknight/. Learn more about Scandinavian Building Services at https://scandinavian.ca/ This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca

    1 h 3 min

  6. 8 MAI

    Building Bridges: Malcolm Burrows on Transforming Family Legacy Through Philanthropy

    In this episode, Matt Knight sits down with Malcolm Burrows, founder and executive director of Aqueduct Foundation, Canada's 13th largest foundation with over a billion dollars in assets and $900 million granted to charities across Canada. Malcolm shares his 35-year journey in philanthropy, from his early days at the University of Toronto to his current role helping business families transform wealth into purpose. With remarkable candour, he reveals how philanthropy is a powerful expression of family values while addressing practical wealth transition challenges. Throughout the conversation, three powerful insights emerge: How business families can strategically structure their giving through private foundations, donor-advised funds, or corporate foundationsThe importance of creating governance structures that provide autonomy while fostering family collaborationWhy philanthropy should complement family business governance rather than being seen as a magic solution for family harmonyFor family business leaders concerned about declining charitable giving trends across Canada, this episode offers practical wisdom on structuring philanthropy to sustain legacy while embracing necessary change. Malcolm's experience demonstrates that with intentional communication and shared purpose, family enterprises can leverage their unique position to make a significant community impact. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that combines heartfelt family business perspective with actionable philanthropic strategies, including how Aqueduct Foundation serves as a "bridge" to help business families transition their wealth into meaningful community impact. Learn more about ABFI at https://abfi.ca/, connect with Matt Knight at matt.knight@ualberta.ca or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknight/.  Learn more about Aqueduct Foundation at https://www.scotiawealthmanagement.com/ca/en/home/solutions/aqueduct-foundation.html This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca

    58 min

  7. 15 AVR.

    From One to 14,000 Acres: Angela Santiago's Little Potato Journey

    In this enlightening episode of ABFI Table Talk, host Matt Knight sits down with Angela Santiago, co-founder and CEO of the Little Potato Company, to explore her remarkable journey from a small family venture to a North American agricultural powerhouse. Angela shares the surprising origin story of how, fresh out of university and with no agricultural background, she reluctantly agreed to help her father plant a one-acre test plot of small potatoes in 1996. What began as washing potatoes in a bathtub and selling them to local delis has grown into a company that manages 14,000 acres and distributes to 20,000 stores across North America. Throughout the conversation, three key themes emerge:  Family Values as a Business Foundation: Angela reveals how the company's five core values—with "family" being central—guide everything from hiring decisions to strategic expansion. These values have fostered a culture where product quality and people take precedence over profits, embodying the unique strengths of family businesses.  Innovation as an Entrepreneurial Spirit: From advocating for smaller potato packaging to creative product development stemming from "mistakes and laziness," Angela demonstrates how innovation permeates every aspect of the business. Her willingness to embrace new ideas—whether in automation, AI, or product lines—has kept the Little Potato Company thriving in a declining category. Next-Generation Leadership Development: Perhaps most fascinating is Angela's thoughtful approach to involving her children in the business. By establishing clear ground rules—"enter where you enter," "no exceptions"—and focusing on teaching them to be "good owners" regardless of their career choices, she's creating a legacy that extends beyond the balance sheet.This episode offers invaluable insights for family business leaders navigating the complex interplay of family dynamics and business growth. Angela's experiences balancing her "life buckets"—work, family, self, and marriage—while scaling internationally provide a masterclass in entrepreneurial business family leadership. Learn more about ABFI at https://abfi.ca/, connect with Matt Knight at matt.knight@ualberta.ca or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknight/  Learn more about The Little Potato Company at https://www.littlepotatoes.com/ This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca

    1 h 1 min

  8. 2 AVR.

    Emotional Governance: Franco Lombardo's Journey from Financial Advisor to Family Business Coach

    In this insightful episode of ABFI Table Talk, host Matt Knight speaks with Franco Lombardo, founder of Veritage, about his transformative journey from financial advisor to emotional governance coach for business families. Franco shares how an ABFI event many years ago sparked his interest in family businesses, leading him to discover that even financially successful families often struggle with emotional safety within their relationships. The conversation explores several key themes that are essential for family business success: Emotional Governance: Franco explains how traditional governance documents alone cannot manage family dynamics; families need emotional governance systems that help members feel safe, respected, and included in decision-making.Safe Space Creation: Through his coaching approach, Franco helps family members understand their behaviors, identify emotional triggers, and create environments where authentic communication can flourish.Next Generation Preparation: The discussion highlights the delicate balance between supporting children and allowing them to face challenges, with practical examples of how parents can avoid enabling entitlement.Legacy Beyond Finances: Franco emphasizes that a family's most valuable asset is its human capital, suggesting that the greatest legacy is raising responsible, contributing children rather than simply transferring wealth.This episode offers valuable insights for family business leaders struggling with succession planning, family dynamics, or raising next-generation leaders who will steward the business responsibly. Franco's frameworks provide practical tools for addressing the emotional underpinnings that often determine whether a family business thrives across generations. Listen to the full episode to discover how implementing emotional governance practices can transform your family business relationships and create a foundation for sustainable success. Learn more about ABFI at https://abfi.ca/, connect with Matt Knight at matt.knight@ualberta.ca or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknight/ or Twitter @mattaknightLearn more about Veritage at https://veritage.ca, connect with Veritage at admin@veritage.ca This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca

    46 min
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À propos

Table Talk with ABFI Host: Matt Knight, Executive Director of Alberta Business Family Institute Dive into the world of family businesses with "Table Talk with ABFI." Hosted by Matt Knight, this unscripted podcast spotlights Alberta's entrepreneurial families and we'll talk about many aspects including: -Origins & Evolution: Discover the foundation of family enterprises and their transformative journeys. -Personal Triumphs: Hear heartfelt stories of individual ambition and resilience. -Family Dynamics: Navigate the intricate interplay of relationships, transitions, and generational handovers. -Growth & Motivation: Uncover breakthrough moments and strategies propelling these businesses forward. Join the conversation and be inspired by tales of tenacity, innovation, and family legacy.

Informations

  • Créateur
    ABFI
  • Années d’activité
    2023 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    20
  • Classement
    Tout public
  • Copyright
    © 2025 ABFI