Shift podcast: Helping you rethink business transformation

PwC Canada
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Management
  • Updated Bimonthly

Successful business transformation is taking on the demands of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. In each episode of Shift, we amplify the voice of leading industry experts, to share their unique perspectives on what it takes to transform. Join us to learn how these leaders are approaching and executing on their transformation journeys while ensuring they perform as they transform. Listen as they describe what they're doing to create sustained outcomes for their employees, customers and communities.

  1. Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: What Leaders Still Don't Get About AI

    Jun 3

    Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: What Leaders Still Don't Get About AI

    What does it take for Canadian leaders to not just survive, but shape the AI revolution? In this episode of Shift, tech journalist, bestselling author, and entrepreneur Amber Mac joins the conversation to unpack why digital literacy is no longer optional — it's a leadership imperative.    From dismantling the myth that AI is "only for the smartest people in the room" to exploring Canada's unique position in global AI innovation, Amber delivers a candid look at the risks of falling behind and the rewards of going first. We dig into the barriers holding Canadian businesses back — risk aversion, regulation, and capital — and why telling stories of transformation matters now more than ever.    Plus: how a purpose-driven, human-centric approach to AI can redefine industries like healthcare, and why the leaders who master the art of learning, unlearning, and relearning will define the next decade.    A must-listen for executives, innovators, and anyone who wants to stop fearing AI — and start leading with it.

    37 min
  2. Designing Insurance for Real Life

    May 7

    Designing Insurance for Real Life

    Insurance is meant for life’s hardest moments — illness, loss, the unexpected. It’s one of the most human promises we make. And yet, for many Canadians, the experience still feels confusing, impersonal, and slow.  In this episode of Shift, we speak with Rohit Thomas, CEO of BMO Insurance, about what it really takes to transform an insurance company from the inside out — the culture, the legacy systems, and the organizational muscle memory — without losing empathy at the centre of the promise.  Over the past year, BMO Insurance has launched Canada’s first bank-led digital insurance storefront, introduced RovrAI, an industry-first AI tool for advisors, and rolled out a new purpose and identity. Together, these moves raise a bigger question that sits at the heart of this conversation: how do you bring digital and AI in the moments that matter most — and still keep it human?

    35 min
  3. The Vulnerability Advantage — An International Women’s Day Conversation

    Mar 19

    The Vulnerability Advantage — An International Women’s Day Conversation

    To mark International Women’s Day, Shift goes beyond celebration — and into the reality of leadership. Gillian Stein, CEO of Sluyter Manufacturing, joins the podcast for a candid conversation on what leadership truly demands. From stewarding a 115-year-old family business to stepping into a new industry, Gillian reflects on leading through uncertainty, carrying the unseen emotional labour at the top, and navigating the double binds women continue to face in the C-suite.  She also speaks openly about living publicly with bipolar disorder — and how vulnerability and psychological safety have reshaped her leadership, relationships, and impact. A powerful International Women’s Day conversation for anyone ready to lead with greater humanity, courage, and truth.

    31 min
  4. The new economics of sovereignty: AI, Capital and Canada’s next advantage

    Feb 12

    The new economics of sovereignty: AI, Capital and Canada’s next advantage

    In this episode of Shift, investor and innovation leader John Ruffolo offers a bold, forward‑looking take on the forces reshaping Canada’s economic future and the massive opportunity ahead. From digital sovereignty and the evolving implications of the U.S. Cloud Act to strengthening industrial strategy and anchoring homegrown innovation, Ruffolo highlights why now is the moment for Canada to rethink how it builds wealth and scale its brightest ideas. Candid, optimistic, and deeply pragmatic, this conversation offers a roadmap for how Canada can seize this moment and build world‑leading companies on its own soil. A must‑listen for executives, investors, and builders shaping Canada’s next chapter.

    34 min
  5. The human edge in AI: Balancing creativity, innovation and responsible adoption

    Jan 12

    The human edge in AI: Balancing creativity, innovation and responsible adoption

    In this episode of the Shift podcast, David Usher, Founder & CEO of Reimagine AI, shares his journey from Juno-winning Canadian musician to technology innovator, exploring how curiosity can help leaders navigate innovation, ethics, and disruption. He discusses practical approaches for building responsible AI—including human-led design, consent, and regulation—and highlights projects like Second Echo and virtual companions for dementia patients, showing how technology can create value and meaning without replacing human connection.

    31 min
  6. Harnessing growth opportunities from shifting supply chains

    05/15/2024

    Harnessing growth opportunities from shifting supply chains

    Joining us for the first episode of the third season of CEO Viewpoints is Canadian National Railway CEO Tracy Robinson, who talks to PwC Canada’s Sébastien Doyon about the drivers of growth in the rail industry and how CN is harnessing emerging opportunities. They explore the growing need for rail carriers to partner with both each other and other modes of transport like trucking companies to serve evolving supply chains. They also discuss key industry challenges like climate change as well as the leadership attributes required to steer organizations through complex and uncertain times.  (00:00)- Sébastien introduces CEO Viewpoints and Tracy Robinson (01:00)- Sébastien and Tracy discuss the CEO Survey and CN railway’s perspective on the responses(03:09)- Sébastien and Tracy turn their attention to the future of rail(05:51)- Tracy discusses how railroads remain competitive while working together to create resilient supply chains (11:04)- Sébastien asks Tracy about allocating resources to important new initiatives while delivering on existing commitments (17:33)- Tracy explains the changes at CN under her leadership(22:13)- Sébastien asks Tracy about the energy transition and climate change (26:39)- Sébastien shares his closing thoughts and conclusions

    27 min

  7. 03/13/2024

    Building consensus on large infrastructure projects

    Join host Jon Finkelstein and guest Ron Jaikaran to discuss Ontario’s Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program. Ron is the Director of Commercial Projects at Infrastructure Ontario, where he is driving progress on Ontario’s 4 billion dollar investment in high-speed internet. The program aims to bring high-speed connectivity to some of the hardest-to-reach communities in the province, to deliver this essential service to all Ontarians. A project of this size requires consensus between partners and collaboration between the public and private sectors to deliver results by 2025, something Ron and his team manage. Ron discusses the opportunities and challenges in undertaking such a large project, how Infrastructure Ontario is managing various partnerships at the municipal and provincial levels, and how the private sector is helping the government tackle some of the largest challenges.   (00:02)- Jon’s introduces Shift and Ron Jaikaran(01:29)- Ron introduces himself and Ontario’s Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program(03:54)- Ron discusses the teams and partners involved in the program (06:15)- Ron discusses how the private and public sector are working together to implement high speed internet (09:05)Ron and Jon discuss why access to high-speed internet is so important, and the challenges posed by the geography of Ontario (14:49)Jon asks Ron about the legislation involved in the project (15:44)Ron talks about the importance of setting expectations with the market (19:22)Ron and Jon talk about the project’s quick timeline, (24:33)- Ron shared the challenges that had to be overcome along the way, and how this project can be used as an example for future Infrastructure Ontario projects (28:06)Ron and Jon discuss the importance of building consensus (29:56)- Jon and Ron share their closing thoughts and conclusions

    31 min

  8. 01/17/2024

    Navigating large scale transformation as a business leader

    Welcome back to a new season of PwC Shift. In this episode, host Jon Finkelstein, Executive Creative Director, PwC Canada, interviews Pierre Miron. Pierre is the Executive Vice-President and Chief Growth Officer Canadian Operations at Industrial Alliance (IA), where he has been at the helm of a variety of impactful transformations. Pierre and Jon dive into these transformations, specifically the pivot that IA has made in its thinking around its customers, and its new approach to I.T and the cloud. Jon and Pierre discuss how to convince people within the organization that these changes are worth it, how to set meaningful KPIs during periods of transformation, and what’s next for Industrial Alliance.   (00:01)- Jon’s introduces Shift and Pierre Miron(02:02) - Pierre explains how he established the digital ambition of IA when he first joined(05:16)- Pierre discusses why I.T is central to the transformations at IA, and to business transformation generally(07:32)- Pierre explains his current role of Chief Growth Officer (12:03)- Jon and Pierre discuss navigating the ramifications of large transformations on company culture, and how to set meaningful KPIs for a transformation(16:52)- Pierre explains Industrial Alliance's growth strategy (21:15)- Pierre dives into how he implemented key transformations, and his strategy for getting executives on board(23:56)- Pierre explains how to get buy-in from employees who don’t think change is needed(26:50)- Jon and Pierre share their closing thoughts and conclusions

    29 min
See All (59)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Successful business transformation is taking on the demands of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. In each episode of Shift, we amplify the voice of leading industry experts, to share their unique perspectives on what it takes to transform. Join us to learn how these leaders are approaching and executing on their transformation journeys while ensuring they perform as they transform. Listen as they describe what they're doing to create sustained outcomes for their employees, customers and communities.

Information

You Might Also Like